We are a fearful people. People who fear animals, heights, closed spaces or open spaces. People who fear dates, numbers, even clowns (and not just evil clowns).And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. "It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread. - Isaiah 8:12b-13
A few years ago if you asked me what my biggest fears were I probably would have said, (In no particular order);
Getting old, failing in my career and getting locked in a public washroom.
That last one might sound funny to the uninformed but imagine if you will...
You are travelling away from home and you wheel into some dirty rest stop looking for a washroom. You must temporarily suspend basic hygiene as you enter this particular "wash"room.
"Get in, be quick, touch nothing and get out", you tell yourself.
You turn to leave and try to turn the handle. It won't unlock. Worried now, you look down at the handle and try again... nothing. Panic races up from your heart and begins to pound in your ears. You throw caution to the wind and discard the piece of paper towel that you were using to cover the door knob. Restraint and your peripheral vision fades as you grab it with both hands and give it a mighty effort. The knob comes off in your hands. Your worst fear has happened. Your pride will soon join biosecurity lying on the stained tiles.
The locals will talk for many days afterwards about the proud tourist who rolled into their dusty town. Full of pride when he stepped out of his minivan. Reduced to pounding like a child on the door of the restroom.
Happily I'm not afraid of these things anymore. It's funny the things that we fear, things that cannot significantly alter our lives. Often we're afraid of everything but God. We like to say He's our best friend and I agree there is no God like Him who loves us and would give His Son for us. But I don't think when I come face to face with Him that my first thought will be "Hi God, you're my best buddy". The God who has power over my body, soul and spirit. Power to heal and save and power to utterly destroy.
"Get in, be quick, touch nothing and get out", you tell yourself.
You turn to leave and try to turn the handle. It won't unlock. Worried now, you look down at the handle and try again... nothing. Panic races up from your heart and begins to pound in your ears. You throw caution to the wind and discard the piece of paper towel that you were using to cover the door knob. Restraint and your peripheral vision fades as you grab it with both hands and give it a mighty effort. The knob comes off in your hands. Your worst fear has happened. Your pride will soon join biosecurity lying on the stained tiles.
The locals will talk for many days afterwards about the proud tourist who rolled into their dusty town. Full of pride when he stepped out of his minivan. Reduced to pounding like a child on the door of the restroom.
Happily I'm not afraid of these things anymore. It's funny the things that we fear, things that cannot significantly alter our lives. Often we're afraid of everything but God. We like to say He's our best friend and I agree there is no God like Him who loves us and would give His Son for us. But I don't think when I come face to face with Him that my first thought will be "Hi God, you're my best buddy". The God who has power over my body, soul and spirit. Power to heal and save and power to utterly destroy.
It truly is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
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