Fear Not!

I was in my car driving and listening to the radio, a Christian radio station that has been playing Christmas music. While I'm driving to work in auto-pilot singing along to "Winter Wonderland." I've never really paid any attention to the lyrics but this time it was different. "To face unafraid the plans that we've made." 

I continued to ponder this phrase: "to face unafraid the plans that we've made." 

After all these years, why is this verse causing me to stop and notice? 

A few days went on before it was revealed to me that there is a lot of fear involved in the story of Christ's birth. 

• The angel of the Lord appears to Zacharias and he was gripped with fear (Luke 1:12) in the temple. The angel says to him, "do not be afraid" (Luke 1:13).

• The angel, Gabriel, appeared to Mary. The first words spoken by the angel are "Do not be afraid" (Luke 1: 30). 

• When John the Baptist was born, the people were afraid (Luke 1:65).

• Joseph was afraid to go to the next level and take Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:20).

• The shepherds were afraid when an angel appeared to them to share the news of Jesus' birth. (Luke 2:8-10).

• Herod was afraid that the King of the Jews would overthrow his reign (Luke 2). 

When the Lord is doing something, it is normal to be afraid if we are not looking through the goggles of God's will. Change is unnerving at times. However, when the Lord invites us to become part of his work, we become agents, ambassadors, vessels, tools, and partners, even. 

Being partners with the Almighty will allow us to move forward and face unafraid the plans that we've made with Him. 

May the Lord add to our wisdom in this revelation.