FEAR

In Poland, old fears and the tyranny of respectability can tether hands—bind them too tightly to reach out in love. Fear of adverse public opinion heavily influences how people live.

1 John 4:18 “There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear.” MSG

James 2:1 “My dear friends, don’t let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith.” MSG

In Poland, old fears and the tyranny of respectability can tether hands—bind them too tightly to reach out in love. Fear of adverse public opinion heavily influences how people live.

A friend brought her mother an exotic plant from Holland.  Later, the daughter found it in the dark kitchen. “That plant needs light, Mom. How about the front window?” she suggested.

The mother refused. “Seeing such a plant, people might suspect me of foreign connections.  Or maybe they’ll think I’m rich–they’ll come and rob me.”

Fears confirmed by recent history die hard, even with all the love in the world.

We are partners with Kosciol Ewangelicko-Reformowany, a marginalized and minority denomination in a land where people can be intensely private.  Where we serve as mission co-workers, few names appear on apartment buzzers.  When we drive friends home, we drop them at a corner–not at their door.

Even the gregarious and gifted may seem reluctant to initiate or accept the new. Putting yourself forward can be seen as patronizing or lacking in humility.  While we say: “the early bird catches the worm,” post-communist cultures resonate more with: “the first bird gets shot.”

It’s hard when every time you’ve tried to “let your light shine” someone has come over to blow it out, or even stomp it out with a jack boot.

The deep wounds of Poland’s history as a battleground between east and west slowly are healing.  Yet Protestants often must defend their beliefs as Christian, or prove their love of country in a land where “to be Polish is to be Catholic.”

PLEASE LIFT UP PRAYERS FOR OUR PARTNER, THE EVANGELICAL-REFORMED CHURCH IN POLAND:  God of all races and places, we give thanks that perfect love casts out fear. We ask for your healing of the many hearts broken by religious divides. Open doors wide to forgiveness and the light of love.  Grant believers peace and opportunities to let their lights shine. Strengthen all those who nurture the tree of life, that they may display it proudly. May the fruit be abundant, in Poland and in the entire world.

All this we ask in your name. Amen.

Liz and Doug Searles in Lodz, PL

Doug and Elizabeth Searles serve with the Evangelical Reformed Church in Poland.  They serve as mission workers for church growth and outreach.