In 1955, Rev. Harry Fricke composed these words:

“In fervent gratitude for the Savior’s dying love and His blood-bought gift of redemption we dedicate ourselves to Him with all that we are and have; and in obedience to His call for workers in the harvest fields, we pledge Him our willing service wherever and whenever He has need of us. We consecrate to our Savior our hands to work for Him, our feet to go on His errands, our voice to sing His praises, our lips to proclaim His redeeming love, our silver and our gold to extend His Kingdom, our will to do His will, and every power of our life to the great task of bringing the lost and the erring into eternal fellowship with Him. Amen.”

This is the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League pledge.  I’ve always thought it should be the pledge of every one of us.  It accurately describes the passionate, kind, and Christlike mission outreach of the LWML.  It also lifts our sights to live fearlessly as a church.  It resets our focus when we can become so distracted by fear.

Fear would have us retreat from the crazy and chaotic world.  Fear would tempt us to turn inward and become self-protective when life gets confusing and the changes become challenging.  Fear would try to convince us that the Word of God is too small and powerless for the daunting developments of the 21st century.

But our “Savior’s dying love and His blood-bought gift of redemption” fill us with courageous gratitude.  Renewed in baptism and outfitted with the armor of God, we step forward in “willing service wherever and whenever [Jesus] has need of us. We consecrate to our Savior our hands to work for Him, our feet to go on His errands, our voice to sing His praises, our lips to proclaim His redeeming love, our silver and our gold to extend His Kingdom, our will to do His will, and every power of our life to the great task of bringing the lost and the erring into eternal fellowship with Him.”

In other words, by grace, we become a church that blesses the world.  In Jesus Christ, you become people who bless your family, your friends, your co-workers, your neighbors, and your community with the life God gives.  Fear wants to drain God’s purpose from your life and from your church.  The Risen Savior renews your heart and restores your purpose.

Let us, through our Savior Jesus Christ, live as FEARLESS people with a focused purpose!

Questions for reflection:

Read Esther 4:4-14. You may be familiar with Esther’s fear as she was challenged to approach the king with her concern about the destruction of her people.

  • What fear is paralyzing your purpose to be Jesus “Gospel light” these days?
  • What unique place or position has God given you so you can share His love?

Read the LWML pledge once again.  How does the pledge remind you of specific ways you can step forward in serving God and His precious people?

Prayer starter: Read Psalm 27:1-5 and ask God to remove your fear and set you “high on a rock” as His witness to people in your life.

By Rev. Michael Newman
Texas District President