Somewhere Between Joy and Fear

“So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid and yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.”

Matthew 28:8

When our daughter announced she wanted to study dance, my husband and I needed a moment with Jesus.

Years before, we had started her in preschool ballet classes because we knew she would be adorable in a tutu and ballet shoes. What we didn’t think through was that she might actually find that she had been designed by God to connect with him through dance.

I will never forget the look on her face when she came to us, asking for our blessing. She stood before us with a mixture of fear and joy—fear of being rejected and joy as she talked about how much she loved dance. She knew in her heart what was true, and she knew that truth needed to be communicated. She didn’t know, however, how her truth would be received by us, her parents.

I imagine that is a little bit like what was going on for the women at the empty tomb. They had heard Jesus talk about his death and resurrection, and there before them was the proof.

Imagine the women realizing what they were experiencing and then figuring out how to tell the disciples. A little startling and a moment of panic? A moment of understanding and confirmation from the angel and then a moment of panic? Absolutely!

But why were they afraid?

I know why I would be afraid. I know why my daughter was afraid of telling us about her hopes and dreams. Maybe the women at the tomb were afraid of the same thing: rejection.

Sometimes our hopes and dreams may sound crazy, even stupid and impractical. And sometimes I think the Gospel, that which is supposed to be Good News for everyone, can sound crazy and nuts, giving anyone reason to reject it.

Thank God, the women at the tomb did not let fear stop them from sharing their joy. I want to remember to do the same, when it comes to the Gospel and my friends.

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:

When was the last time you shared your faith and the Gospel with a friend? What has stopped you in the past from sharing the Gospel with someone?

PRAYER:

Lord, remind us not to give into fear but to carry that in tension with the joy your Good News brings. Give us the words to share your Gospel with others. Amen.