Love Conquers Fear…by Anabeth
The past couple of weeks I have learned one of the most important practical lessons of my life: love conquers fear. I have read this in the Bible many times but I always seem to learn things on a true heart and practical level through my friends at HOMEpdx. I am by nature an introvert, and use my insecurities as an excuse for not getting more involved in some social activities. I tend to not get involved if I don’t have to or if I don’t want to. What I have learned though, through my friends at HOMEpdx, is that in and through community love conquers fear. I can never overcome fear on my own, and the power of love is not found on my own. Through community I learn to love and through community I learn to confront my fears. Through the support of my friends on the team at HOMEpdx, I am pushed out of my comfort zone to connect with politicians, and persuade them towards social change. At the same time, through the team, I confront my same insecurities and learn to love people at HOMEpdx. I can look my insecurities in the face and walk through that fear, as I am gently pushed from behind by my friends and connect a politician with a person in need on the street. I count it as an honor and a blessing to do so, for I could never do works of justice without the support of my friends. There is no fear in love, love dismantles fear. The power of love changes me and those around me, and that love is found in relationship with God and community. I have found that same love at HOMEpdx and my life will never be the same.