October 1: Insight Post by Rusty Coram

  -   October 1, 2025

Fear Leads to Inaction: The servant who buried his talent out of fear missed the opportunity to grow and contribute. Jesus calls us to step out in faith and not let fear hold us back from using what He has given us. 

Wednesday Verse 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

Wednesday Questions 

Are there areas in my life where fear has kept me from using my gifts or taking action? How can I step out in faith? 

Wednesday Insight Post
by Rusty Coram

The readings this week are not simple. There are multiple principles and lessons in them for us, but one really stands out to me – faithfulness. The wealthy owner entrusted his assets to his servants and left for an indefinite period of time. He provided each person with resources and assigned them to use the resources well. This illustrates how Jesus treats each of us who follow Him. We are given resources, especially the knowledge of the Good News, and He has tasked us to invest them in ways that honor Him. Whatever our abilities and opportunities, God calls us to be faithful in using all that we are capable of to benefit others and help them find a saving relationship with Jesus, just as we have.

When I think about this, New Hope’s Silo Center programs come to mind. We have been entrusted with a tremendous location and facility that provides us with an opportunity to positively impact our community. Julie Christianson and her team work diligently to ensure that our programs represent Jesus in an honorable and attractive manner. I love it.

Whether it is our individual lives or our collective work as the church, we have been entrusted by God with resources and opportunities to do His work of sharing and showing the Good News of God’s love. If we are faithful in working diligently, wisely, and undistracted, there will be a time when God says to us, “‘Well done, my good and faithful servant!” But if we choose to live our lives with our own goals and interests at the forefront, we will discover that we have squandered God’s resources and are counted as an enemy. The hard truth is that there is no “neutral” place here. We are either for God and His ways or not. To claim to follow Him and not live with practical faithfulness is merely an exercise in self-deceit.

Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor

New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org