“HERE AS IN HEAVEN”
Happy Monday! Hope your week is getting off to a wonderful start. I have 12 days of radiation left so I am ready to get that started again today and get it done! Today a good friend I have not visited with in a while is taking me to treatment. Super excited to spend time with him. That’s the one upside of driving to Dallas for treatment, I get to visit with some wonderful friends.
I want to share a thought I had this morning. I also want to be very clear about something. In no way do I consider myself some kind of Bible scholar. To be honest, over the years I have spent time in the Bible more to know and understand God, than to be some scholarly theologian. I have seen too many theologians over the years that know scripture but it’s hard to tell if they have a real relationship with God.
So Proverbs is a text I find very helpful. First chapter, verse 7 says this; “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
One of the challenges for me over the years has been the use of or the translation of a certain word. I believe it is 300-plus times the Bible uses this word, “FEAR” the idea of “fearing God.” The challenge is in modern times “fear” is typically seen as a negative, weak place to live.
Another example of how reading the Bible can get tricky. 1 John 4:18, tells us that, “perfect love expels all fear.” So what’s the deal? Am I suppose to fear God? Am I suppose to be afraid of Him and if so, how do I have a relationship with someone that I am truly afraid of?
A simple idea that can also be a little challenging to truly begin to live and walk out each day. Maybe truly “fearing God” does not create a more fearful life. What if it actually, creates more, security, peace and comfort, when life can and does get challenging.
Maybe the idea of fearing God is about a healthy respect and love. Maybe when that respect and love grows, God truly can and does help us not cave into our own sinful nature and fear of things in this life. I certainly need more knowledge, wisdom and instruction to continue to navigate the very real challenges of this life. Living fearfully does not help. Fearing God, has nothing to do with living fearfully.
Having a terminal brain tumor can be a little fearful at times. For me, my fear of the Lord has brought so much comfort. I had just read this Proverbs text this morning and the song “Here as in Heaven” was playing. I was moved to tears, good tears. For me, God is here, and when I am in a good relationship with Him, I actually experience a little heaven on earth.
What do you struggle with? What in this life and world creates some genuine fear in your life? All of us deal with some of these things. It’s important to be honest about that and also begin to understand and walk in a healthy “fear of the Lord.” I believe He loves you, simply because you are created in His image. I need him and I need others to help me navigate the very real challenges of this life.
I am hoping today in some simple way you experience a little “Heaven Here!!!!” You are loved and of great value. Have a beautiful Monday!
Peace,