In my rations today (rations are daily devotions, but like food for soldiers in times of warfare I couldn't survive for long without them) I was meditating on Luke 1:57-80.
One of the questions asked of the text was "What, according to Zechariah's song is the purpose of salvation? " I centred in on verses 74 and 75 as my answer:

"so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness forever."

Obviously, this is backed up by His redemption in v68, His deliverance in v71 and His Covenant to His people in vs72-73.
Feeling satisfied with that answer, I toddled on to the next question:

"Is this your experience?"

Well my word if that didn't catch me unawares and downshift me into discomfort and introspection...

Sadly for me, my truth is that I operate more in fear than I know...I believe that this is at the root of most of my emotional issues and breakdowns, especially in my marriage relationship. Two nights ago, I knelt in my kitchen and repented of all the places in my life where I have partnered with fear, but until my rations today, I never realized how much my marriage journey has been a place of not trusting that God is at work within myself and my husband and not trusting that my husband makes good decisions that won't totally derail us in our lives and our ministry. It's ridiculous. What kind of godly wife doesn't trust the man that God has given her? The kind that is ruled by the fear that if she is not in control it won't go right. That if she discerns it, it MUST be true, even if her mate doesn't agree. The kind whose selfish and fearful heart makes it fertile to the lying seeds sown by the enemy.
I don't want this in me. I want to stop being tossed about by fear. I'm willing for God to discipline me in the severest way to bring about immediate change in this foundational behaviour He has pointed out in me. Even if it's tough, I want to trust Him fully. I covet your prayers, friends.
He reminded me of a time before I was married when all I had to rely on was the promise He had made to me. He schooled me to fix my eyes on things above, on heavenly things, on unseen things. Believe Him, not what my eyes can see around me. How did I forget that lesson so quickly? God forgive me.

Allow me to catapult you in the same direction, and break off a piece of my rations to share with you, comrades:

As a follower of Christ, are you currently experiencing a salvation that allows you to serve God without fear?

"Because of God's tender mercy, the light from heaven is about to break upon us.." Luke 1:78 NLT

He's coming soon to collect us - who among us will be able to stand before the Throne and offer up our lives of service motivated by our love for Him, not hindered by our human fears and what our eyes perceive?
My God, let it be me, but only by Your grace.