Whatever.

If your life ended with this sentence, what would you regret?
I had an epiphany three months ago. It transformed my worldview.
God loves me. GOD, the Beginning and the End, my Savior, Redeemer, Healer, Lord, and Creator, loves ME.
Three months ago, I felt like I had messed up everything that I could mess up. Everyone was mad at me, I thought I was going to lose my job, New York was big and scary and lonely, and I was going nowhere fast. However, I was overwhelmed by the love of Christ. I just knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God loved me. And, in the midst of ruining my other relationships, I realized that I can't mess up God's love. He's the constant; I'm the variable. His faithful love endures forever.

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love" (1 John 4:18 NASB). The word "cast" in this verse means to forcefully or violently throw. Perfect love takes my fears and insecurities and throws them away, and I'm the perfect example.

My fears of rejection, failure, and loneliness prevented me from taking risks.
But, now that I know I am unshakably loved, I realize that God accepts me and will never leave me.
Stepping out in faith isn't scary when your love doesn't ride on your success.

I might make some terrible mistakes. Whatever. God still loves me.
Life is a vapor, and every second speeds by quicker than the one before. I don't have much time on this planet, but my life will scream Jesus' name. I want to see his justice reign on this earth as it does in heaven. I yearn to watch the deadened eyes of his children come alive with hope.
But, it's not just about me. You are incredibly, ridiculously, and unbelievably loved as well.
And, you have a role to play. God made you just like you because there are people that you can encourage that no one else can. There are things you can accomplish that I would never be able to.

Your life is too precious to waste. Put down your regrets and pick up your righteousness. Cast out your fear and cling the Faithful One.

Fear has NO place in the life of a Christian, so throw it away and start living.