By Abbey Adcox
Several years ago, we went on a tubing excursion through sugar cane irrigation tunnels during a family vacation. Our guide informed us that in one of the tunnels we would experience near-total darkness, and if everyone remained still we would encounter complete silence. He prepared us for the experience, reassuring us that although we might feel alone, we would, in fact, be surrounded by the group as we floated noiselessly through the tunnel.
Even with his thorough explanation, several participants — including me — became panicked after a few minutes of complete darkness and silence. The guide’s assurance wasn’t enough; fear crept in.
If, like me, you have been carrying a significant amount of fear lately, may our worship together be a balm for you. There is no shortage of things to worry about — whether it be the deep divisions in our nation, the treatment of our marginalized neighbors or concerns within our own families. We humans are quite gifted at worry and fear. It’s no wonder that the most repeated command in Scripture is: Do not be afraid.
Fear and faith are opposing forces. Fear whispers doubt, reminding us of what we cannot control or understand. It magnifies uncertainty, compelling us to cling tightly to what feels familiar or safe. It isolates us, convincing us that we must navigate challenges alone and closing us off from community.
Fear pulls us inward, making us smaller, more cautious, more stuck. But faith? Faith opens us up, stretching us beyond what we think we can handle and inviting us into something bigger than ourselves. Faith doesn’t promise certainty, but it does invite trust — trust in the One who does.
The hymns we sing this morning remind us of these truths. On our own, our vision is limited, hemmed in by worries and distractions. But when we place our trust in God, we walk in the light, guided step by step.
Through worship this morning, may we release our need for control and rest in the presence of the One who holds us in love. Whatever burdens we carry — grief, uncertainty, fear — may we entrust them to God’s care and allow them to be held by this community. May our worship reshape our hearts, drawing us deeper into the faithfulness of God.