Blog: Glimmers in the Fog by Kim Stiver

Why you Need Church

4/24/2019

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Why Church is Still Relevant and You Need It

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It’s almost here. It comes every year on the same day, just like Christmas and Independence Day. Although it’s not an official holiday or even marked on our calendars, millions of people practice the same activity on this day in almost every culture around the world. What is it that people around the world do? Actually, it’s more about what they don’t do. On the Sunday following every Easter, millions of people choose to stay home, sleep in, go to breakfast, play golf, or any other leisure activity they can think of, rather than doing what they were undeniably dedicated to doing last Sunday at the same time of day: go to church. Catholics even have a traditional name for it: Low Sunday, although the Pope officially renamed the day back in 2000 to “Divine Mercy Sunday.” But despite the rebranding attempt, Low Sunday continues to live up to its original name for both Protestant and Catholic churches alike. Statistically speaking, congregations on the Sunday following Easter are approximately 50 percent smaller than they were just seven days prior. Seats and pews that were once teeming with smiling faces dressed in their best pastel colors become hollow vessels echoing the music and words from disappointed worship leaders and pastors everywhere.

Whether you’re planning to be in church on Low Sunday or not, every believer has experienced that familiar longing to just go back to sleep or lounge around all morning rather than making the effort associated with going to church. At one time or another, every single believer wrestles with the desire to either quit going or to avoid making a commitment altogether. After all, there isn’t a church on earth without people… and at least a few of those people — if not many more — drive us crazy, let us down, act like hypocrites, or exhaust us to no end. But if you’re contemplating not going back this Sunday or you don’t think you need to attend regularly to have a strong faith or walk with God, then I invite you to consider it from a fresh point of view for just a few minutes. There may not be anything I can do to change your mind, but I can pray that these words will be carried into the deepest parts of your heart by the Holy Spirit. And if you are a devoted churchgoer and would never think of skipping out, I encourage you to keep reading, because I know from personal experience, that even the most seasoned churchgoers become weary at some point.

First, let’s just acknowledge the things about going to church that aren’t super appealing… to anyone. Here are just a few of the most common ones:

Giving up outdoor fun when the weather is beautiful.
Leaving a warm snuggly bed or couch when the weather is lousy.
Saying no to the early morning workout, kids game, or sporting event.
Listening to the tone-deaf man sing behind you… loudly
Being asked to volunteer.
Being asked to give money.
Not feeling accepted based on your income, looks, age, clothes, social circle, etc.
Getting trapped in a conversation with someone too conservative, liberal, or just downright opinionated.
Seeing the same person that lifted his arm to flip you off on the highway lift his hands in worship in front of you.
Being reminded that you might not be living right.

Oh and I’m sure you can think of many more potentially uncomfortable or annoying scenarios. Why subject yourself to any of that? I get it. But there’s something that supersedes all of those awkward and uneasy situations. There’s something worth more than our fears or feelings… something more valuable than our time… and far, far more important than our money or our reputation. And it has been true since the day the Holy Spirit rushed into the Upper Room to fill the waiting followers of Jesus (Acts 2:1-13). At that moment, the very presence of God began abiding within every believer. Jesus’ followers became His new body on earth. Take a moment and really contemplate what that means. Regardless of anyone’s weaknesses, flaws, mistakes, demeanor, or behaviors, if they are followers of Jesus, they are set apart to be instruments of His will, love, compassion, mercy, and grace. And here’s the kicker — like it or not — God most often appears, comforts, serves, and blesses us through His instruments.

Yes, we do have personal interactions with the Holy Spirit all by ourselves, but God’s design is for us to experience the most tangible and visible expressions of His love through His body serving each other. So despite the very human and very frustrating ways other people can seem more like obstacles who tarnish His love, we are called to do life with the rest of the body, not visit it occasionally on special holidays or reaching out during times of hardship. Just like a marriage, life with others in the body requires a mutual commitment and hard work. But, as any long-term happy couple can attest, the effort is well-worth the abundant rewards of a deep, abiding love that stands by you in any storm, supports you in times of need, holds you accountable when change would be helpful, and takes you to the pinnacle of friendship. Like it or not, God created us to need each other and science proves that people with strong support networks heal faster, feel happier, and live longer. If that’s not reason enough here are a few more of the many benefits that come from committing to a church family.

Church recharges your soul batteries. Chances are, none of us gets enough encouragement from our spouse, our families, or our jobs. When we are regularly in the habit of meeting with others specifically to pursue God and serve each other, our souls are refreshed as we fan the flames of faith, hope, and trust on a consistent basis. And being together breeds familiarity, which helps us be more comfortable to share our true feelings, ask for help, and receive much-needed hugs. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” If you want to experience God’s touch like never before, commit to being a part of a small group within your church.

Church opens up the mysteries of God and spurs us to maturity. Sure, we can study the Bible on our own, but hearing, talking about, and sharing the Word together opens your heart and mind up to discovering more about God and ignites a hunger to learn more and more. Also, studying the Bible in isolation can lead you to misinterpretation or circular reasoning. When His body meets together, the Holy Spirit moves among His people to provide collective wisdom and sound teaching. Ephesians 4:11-16 makes it clear that God’s design for our walk with Him includes pastoral care, wise instruction, and spiritual oversight. “And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God… Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

Church holds you accountable and helps you be a better person. Let’s face it, human nature makes us lazy about self-improvement. Our brains and our bodies like to maintain the status quo, but the Holy Spirit’s job is to transform us more into the likeness of Christ continually. Being a part of a church and especially a small group or Bible class, helps us establish powerful mentoring and peer accountable relationships. Galatians 6:1-3 says, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.”

Church provides personal fulfillment. God created every person to worship and serve Him whether he or she recognizes it or not. And until we are serving within the body of Christ according to His calling on our lives, we will never feel completely fulfilled. The age-old question “What on earth am I here for,” is very often answered by a role God has for us in our local church. Of course, He also calls many to serve Him in other ways, both secular and ministerial in nature, but if you haven’t yet found fulfillment, then there’s a good chance you’re not using your gifts and talents in the optimum way. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Central to the accomplishment of “good things He planned for us,” is the role of the church in our lives. Take a moment to read 1 Corinthians 12, and you’ll see God’s beautiful design for a healthy church body. In verse 7, the passage says, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” When we have a gift that we’re not using for God’s kingdom, we will always feel as if there is a dull ache or slight emptiness within our souls. “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it,” says Paul in verse 27.

Church is where God wants you to be. Regardless of how we feel about church and what our options are where we live, the Bible makes it clear that God wants each one of us to be an active, contributing member of His body. What that calling looks like and where it plays out varies widely, from small home churches to crowded megachurches, but if you don’t have a church home where you feel comfortable, loved, fed, and inspired to serve, then pray. Pray with a passion for it because you’re missing out on some of the most visible and palatable aspects of God’s love for you. And if you’ve been hurt by a church experience, please know my heart goes out to you. I’ve been there too, and it can be hard to remember that just because people hurt you, it doesn’t mean God wants you to be alone in your walk with Him. There is no perfect church, just as there are no perfect people. In fact, a healthy church can help you heal from a bad experience and move forward. If you’re willing to forgive and trust God to lead you to a local body, He will restore you and your heart in time. Not only that, He will redeem your hurt according to 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. He will use it, alongside your spiritual gifts, to help others who have been hurt too. Colossians 3:13 says, “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

While trusting in Jesus is the only thing needed to save us from our sins and secure our eternal place in God’s presence, being a part of a church body through fellowship, worship, study, and meaningful service is an integral part of a believer’s path to knowing and growing in his or her faith. That’s why it’s so ironic that one of the lowest attended Sundays of the year is the one immediately following such a grand celebration of the most pivotal act of God throughout human history. As this Low Sunday approaches, why not commit to making it a high point in your relationship with God? You were designed for your local body, and it was designed for you. Together, you make a perfect match.

What do you think of today's message? Comment and share your thoughts below! And if God brought someone to mind as you read or listened, please encourage them by sharing this post today!

For Further Reflection and Daily Spiritual Journaling
The questions and readings below can be used for a single-day study or your daily quiet time throughout the week. This is a new offering for Glimmers in the Fog, so if you like having the questions and readings offered in this format, please let me know by commenting below or in social media.
Day 1 - In John 17:20-23 Jesus prays for unity among all those who will follow Him throughout the ages. Read His plea to the Father and search your heart for how you are and how you are not living out in obedience to Jesus’ heart cry for those He loves. Write down your thoughts and prayers to God about your love for His body and your willingness to encourage unity among your fellow believers.
Day 2 - Take a moment to read the first half of 1 Corinthians 12 (verses 1-11). Pray and ask God what your spiritual gifts are (if you are not aware) or which ones you may not be using to the fullest for His kingdom. Write down what He whispers to your spirit. If you want to know more about spiritual gifts and take a free online assessment, visit this page.
Day 3 - Read the second half of 1 Corinthians 12 (verses 12-31). Which verse jumps out at you the most in this passage? Journal about why you think it stands out. How do you think you may have not performed the role in the body of Christ the way He expects you to? Is there some way He is calling you to serve? Is there a way you are serving that you shouldn’t be so that you can focus on His primary calling for your life?
Day 4 - Read Ephesians 5:22-33 and pick one verse to meditate on in prayer before the Lord. Praise Him that Jesus is the bridegroom for the church and that He loves us more than you can love your spouse or your closest loved one. What is God whispering to you about His love for you and how He wants you to love Him?
Day 5 - Read Matthew 25:1-13 where Jesus gives the parable of the 10 bridesmaids. How do you see this passage as being instructional for the church? Pray about the two types of bridesmaids and ask God to reveal to you what characteristics you have of each type. What is He asking you to do?

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How to See Miracles in the Middle

4/17/2019

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How to See Miracles in the Middle of a Trial

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In 1967 two psychiatrists researched and developed what was to become one of the most life-defining lists of the last century — the Holmes and Rahe stress scale. Containing 43 common life events, ranging from the death of a loved one to having trouble with the in-laws, the scale assigns a stress score called “life change units” to each of the extreme circumstances. The psychiatrists’ theory, which proved to be highly reliable through years of testing, is that a higher quantity of life change units equals more stress. And the greater the stress in a person’s life, the higher the likelihood for health issues to be triggered as a result.

When you’re going through one or more of these life events, I suppose there is some amount of comfort gained from the credible or professional validation that what you’re going through is widely regarded to be difficult. However, the solace is minimal at best because once you start pondering the list and the associated health risks of your identified stress score, if you’re like me, then your mind reacts in such a manner to create more stress with added worry, what-if scenarios, and future-tripping.

Since my husband and I are currently going through a season brimming over with what seems like multiple life events, my natural tendency is to freak out. And that is precisely what I would be doing if it were not for one major score-altering factor not accounted for in the Holmes and Rahe stress scale — I have a growing and interactive relationship with God. Because I’ve previously written about the scientifically proven benefits of faith for good health, particularly prayer and meditation, I will skip citing all those references here. You can check out two of those previous blog posts here and here. But suffice it to say, there is no way to overstate the impact of the Holy Spirit’s care for our souls during times of upheaval, pain, and hardship.

As I have been thinking and praying about my current circumstances, dominated by the unknown and dramatically impacted by people and factors completely out of my control, the Holy Spirit has been repeatedly saturating me with an invitation to trust in the unseen for the big, long-term things and look for God’s daily appearance in the little things. And I want to emphasize the word “daily” so much that you feel as though I’m with you in the room right now. Every morning since this particular season of upheaval began about three months ago, the quantity and categories of unknowns have only compounded and grown. It’s become clear to my husband and me, that we are still in the first half of an unpredictable and dark tunnel of change. We haven’t even glimpsed a single flicker of the light at the end of that tunnel yet. We are still in the middle… in the darkest part … somewhere far from the light of our past, and still many steps away from seeing any shadows on the wall produced by a light at the far end.

Michele Cushatt, an author and speaker who has walked through far greater hardships than I have, recently said, “Faith in the middle of the unknowns is the only real kind.” And those words have been rolling around in my head in the repeat mode since I saw them on her Facebook page last week. What’s more, almost every morning for the last several weeks, messages and verses in my quiet time with God have contained encouragements about seeing His detailed orchestration and care in our everyday lives. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) and He is planning my future steps through the middle and eventually out of the tunnel (Psalm 37:23). The Great Comforter is doing His job, and He’s urging me to see my Heavenly Father doing His.

That urging is what brought 2 Kings 6:8-23 to my mind and then subsequently impacted my heart this week. If you are not familiar with it or haven’t read the passage for a long time, I encourage you to do so. It tells the remarkable story of one man — Elisha — in a standoff with the fierce army of Syria. But it wasn’t God’s famous prophet the Holy Spirit was leading me to think about — it was Elisha’s servant. Here’s a recap of what happened. The king of Aram was intensely frustrated that his enemy, the nation of Israel, had been able to anticipate his every move. Thinking that he had a traitor in his midst, he questioned his officers and discovered that a mighty prophet named Elisha was the one informing Israel’s king of Syria’s plans. Enraged, the king of Aram sent an entire army to capture Elisha. But God had an alternative plan. On the morning of the attack, Elisha’s servant got up early and went outside to begin his usual preparations for the day. What he saw sent chills down his spine and the heat of panic through his entire body. The ridge around him was teeming with Aramean soldiers. However, Elisha’s servant only saw half of the reality... the physical reality. When the servant ran back inside to alert his master, I can only imagine the unexpected smile that crossed Elisha’s face.
Verses 15b through 17 say:
“Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.
“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”
Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

As astonishment replaced fear and relief chased away the panic, the servant went from a place of hopelessness to confidence in one fell swoop. Instead of being captured by angry warriors, he was captured into the arms of faith and delivered to safety. I am like Elisha’s servant is so many ways, even though I aspire to be like Elisha. I confess that I sometimes have moments where I arrogantly think I am on my way there. Satan then seizes the opportunity of my self-centered agenda and whispers to me, “Look how far you’ve come…” to lure me further down the road of human confidence. But then when the dark tunnels of difficulty and endurance descend upon me, I realize once again that the depths of my love and trust in God are just beginning to scratch the surface. Confidence in my own efforts leads me to fear while the Holy Spirit is beckoning me to place all my confidence in the King of kings.

There’s so much more about this epic confrontation between the prophet of God and the armies of Aram that God wants me, and anyone else who struggles to see His loving hand of provision in our lives on daily, to understand. If this passage were a plot from a movie, we’d all expect — and want — to see a monumental battle between the heavenly warriors and the human soldiers. In classic fashion, we’d expect the frailties of mere mortals to succumb to the supernatural powers of angelic forces. Instead, God surprises us all in a plot twist that apparently was revealed to Elisha during prayer.
Verses 18 - 19a say:
As the Aramean army advanced toward him, Elisha prayed, “O Lord, please make them blind.” So the Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked.
Then Elisha went out and told them, “You have come the wrong way! This isn’t the right city! Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are looking for.”

What? Wait! The army is rushing forward and Elisha calmly asks God to put them into a hypnotic-like state? Yep. In a move reminiscent of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, the force of God compelled an entire army to follow a single, unarmed man for more than 12 miles. Like a legion of puppies attached to a single leash, Elisha and hundreds of soldiers walked for half a day over rough terrain straight into the presence of the Israeli king. I’m begging you, please use your imagination to envision this scene because it’s not only surprising, it’s downright comical.

Once Elisha and his puppet army arrived at the palace, Elisha prays for the soldiers’ eyes to be opened. Immediately they realized where they were and must have believed that their lives were over. If the Israeli king didn’t kill them, then the king of Aram probably would when he realized they had willingly walked right into enemy hands. But instead of allowing the Israeli king to take the easiest or perhaps most logical route, God commanded through Elisha that they be welcomed, offered a lavish meal, and returned safely to their homeland. As a result verse 23 tells us that the Aramean raiders stayed away from Israel in the future.

Oh, how often do we expect God’s story to follow familiar plot lines based on our experience, personal reason, or past incidences? But human logic is just that. It’s human. It’s limited by what we can possibly know, physically see, or fathom. Stories like these remind us that our God is bigger, more powerful, and more surprising than we can ever logically explain, anticipate, or grasp. Isaiah 55:8 says, “‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’” Yet when trials come, we so often revert to reliance on our own understanding, perspective, and expectations rather than trusting in the hand that commands invisible angel armies. Notice another surprise about this story from 2 Kings. The heavenly army’s weapon of choice was all in the mind, triggered by the faithful prayer of God’s servant Elisha. And Elisha wasn’t the only prophet of God to trigger angelic intervention by prayer. In Daniel 10:12, an angel appeared to Daniel and said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.” God showed up for both Daniel and Elisha because they humbled themselves enough to trust their Heavenly Father more than their own strategies, talent, skills, or logical reasoning.

Like Daniel, Elisha, or any other person who chooses to believe and follow, God is at work around you and me. Daily. Not just in the tunnels. Not only on the mountaintops. In every season of life, and on every day. I know God may not choose to reveal legions of angel armies to me, but the more I trust Him to send them when they’re needed, the more I am beginning to see the evidence of their presence. Though I am groping through the darkness of unknowns right now, I’ve begun to see traces of glory and fragments of the miraculous in ways that I would’ve never noticed if my eyes were on the light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, sometimes He obscures the light of our coming relief to keep our eyes fixed only on Him. Trust is the lens that uncloaks God’s miracles. And the more I believe and trust that He’s truly doing what He’s promised, even if can’t see or understand His plans, the more He’s begun to open the eyes of my heart to see the evidence of His hand.

For Further Reflection & Daily Spiritual Journaling
Elisha is what Biblical scholars call an Old Testament type of Christ. In other words, Elisha’s life, calling, and ministry foreshadow the life of Jesus. Elisha’s role as a prophet and spiritual leader gave the Jewish people a glimpse into what the coming Messiah would be like and how He would lead them. For believers today, the life of Elisha helps us see God’s plan for redemption throughout history. Since we are called to be like Jesus, stories like the one found in 2 Kings chapter 6 offers us a rich landscape from which to view the grandeur of our Savior.

Day 1 - To learn more about Elisha and how his life points to Christ, take some time to review this list of similarities and select a few to read the scriptures. (Note that the link at the bottom of the list is broken. If you want to read the full article by Bruce Waltke, a Hebrew scholar, you can find it here.) Take some time to journal about your impressions of Elisha and his similarities to Jesus. Which ones speak to you the most? How does this help you trust in God and His Word more?
Day 2 - Revisit 2 Kings 6:8-23. Elisha and Jesus both took actions based on what God told them in prayer. What are some things God is leading you to bring to Him in prayer? What miracles are you hoping to see in the middle of your current struggles? Ask Him to help you trust enough to see the day-to-day actions of His hand on your behalf.
Day 3 - Read Lamentations 3:22-23. Take the time to list out all the mercies God has lavished upon you this morning. Spend time thanking Him for His endless compassion and love for you.
Day 4 - Meditate upon Isaiah 55:8 and James 1:5. Journal about the areas and decisions in your life in need of God's wisdom. Seek Him in prayer and spend at least five minutes in stillness just listening.
Day 5 - Read Isaiah 26:3 and 41:10. Praise God for the miracles of strength and peace. Reflect on a time when you've experienced the supernatural presence of God described in these verses. If you cannot think of a specific one, pray these back to God and ask the Holy Spirit to remind you and assure you.

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Finding the Fear to Live Fearlessly

4/10/2019

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Finding the Fear of God to Live Fearlessly in Christ

Finding the Fear of the Lord to Live Fearlessly

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Remember back in school when all you wanted in life was to be like the most popular kid? You know, that guy or girl that every other kid secretly wanted to be? For most teens, an envy of this nature usually kicks in sometime during middle school and can last well into high school. I suffered from a jealousy complex in a big way. There was one girl in particular who mesmerized me. To my immature and very naive eyes, she appeared to have it all — beauty, brains, cool parents, the right clothes, a glittering social life, and dozens of ardent admirers, both male and female, who seemed to pivot on her every move. And it wasn’t until the beginning of my senior year when I finally realized all the time and energy I had wasted trying to get into her circle of friends. I finally began to understand that my identity was nothing like hers, nor could any amount of effort on my part change the perception of my classmates regarding my social status. I couldn’t fabricate the “it” factor or generate authentic coolness. The only thing I could be genuine at was simply being me. For any of us who’ve tried to be like someone else, the realization that we can only be who we authentically are is both liberating and utterly frightening.

It wasn’t until many years after high school when I finally made the connection between my struggle with personal identity and my spiritual maturity in Christ. Sure, I grew up hearing the expressions, “Just be who God made you to be,” or “God made you unique for His purposes,” but platitudes like those never seemed to make me feel any better following a party snub from Mesmerizing Girl or a searing rejection from my latest crush. What finally clicked in my brain and set me on a solid path to a healthy self-identity began germinating in my college years and didn’t fully bloom until my late 20s. What was it? Having fear. The right kind of fear, that is, which is described in Psalm 103:11, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him.” Another verse I love is Psalm 34:9, “Fear the Lord, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need.” That second part really spoke to me, because I had previously thought I needed to be like other people to find fulfillment in life. Yet God clearly indicated to me through those verses that if I learned what it was to fear Him and walk in fear of Him (Acts 9:31), I would never lack for anything.

The concept of fearing the Lord is mentioned hundreds of times throughout the Bible, with many of the verses praising those who do so. People who receive honor and blessing from God or other people are repeatedly labeled in both the old and new testaments with a specific identity… they are a particular category of people… they are called God-fearers. They are identified more by this spiritual trait than their jobs, their wealth, their families, or where they’re from. Perhaps most notable about their collective identity is that it is always mentioned in a positive light. This is remarkable in today’s culture because fear is commonly described as a negative emotion to avoid. When we read a verse like 1 John 4:18 which says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love,” we scratch our heads and wonder about the apparent contradiction. Why would God ask us to fear Him to the point of being marked by the fear, and then tell us that we shouldn’t have any fears because of His perfect love?

One of my favorite analogies to help explain the difference between the negative definition of fear and the positive practice of living in fear of the Lord, is from CS Lewis’ classic story The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. The hero who saves the day is the strong and powerful Aslan. In this quote from the book, Susan, who is one of the main characters, has asked another character, Mr. Beaver, to tell her about Aslan.

“Aslan is a lion — the Lion, the great Lion.” [Said Mr. Beaver]
“Ooh,” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion…”
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”

When we think of Jesus as the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5), which is where Lewis got his idea for the character of Aslan, the first question that comes to our heads shouldn’t be, “Is He safe?” That question comes from our own need to feel comfortable and secure. Naturally, our first concern is us… what’s in it for us… and how easy it will it be to stay where we are or acquire what we think we need? But when we shift our perspective to who God is, our first response should be one of complete awe of His power, justice, and purity. On our own accord, by our own means or goodness, we could not survive standing in His presence. But, because God is also the source of perfect love and compassion, we can have no fear of anyone or anything else — not even death itself. Just as Aslan was mighty enough to destroy Susan or any other creature in Narnia, his nature of perfect love drove him to lay down his life for everyone else. As a result, Susan, her siblings, and all the others in the realm were offered protection from all fears and dangers, especially the evil White Witch.

William D. Eisenhower crafted the best explanation I’ve read regarding the paradox of fearing God as a path to experiencing a fearless life. In his 1986 Christianity Today article “Fearing God,” he said, “Unfortunately many of us presume that the world is the ultimate threat and that God's function is to offset it. How different this is from the biblical position that God is far scarier than the world …. When we assume that the world is the ultimate threat, we give it unwarranted power, for, in truth, the world's threats are temporary. When we expect God to balance the stress of the world, we reduce him to the world's equal …. As I walk with the Lord, I discover that God poses an ominous threat to my ego, but not to me. He rescues me from my delusions so he may reveal the truth that sets me free. He casts me down, only to lift me up again. He sits in judgment of my sin but forgives me nevertheless. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but love from the Lord is its completion.”

As someone who has spent the majority of my life being afraid of something or someone, I long to grab ahold of Aslan’s mane and cling to him for dear life. I want to literally feel the breath from his fiery nostrils as he growls at my enemies. I want to see the muscles in his jaw ripple as he commands my fears to leave. But just as Aslan disappears at the end of Lewis’ epic tale and leaves the children with a promise of his presence, so God is asking me to humbly walk in daily awe of His power and trust in His perfect love to be with me, around me, and over me in any storm.

Oswald Chambers, the 19th-century missionary and theologian, said, “It is the most natural thing in the world to be scared, and the clearest evidence that God's grace is at work in our hearts is when we do not get into panics. The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.”

And so, we return to where we started at the beginning of this post. What does your personal identity have to do with the fear of the Lord? Romans 8:29 tells us that our goal as believers is to become more like Jesus. Each day, God is working on us — if we let Him — to transform us into the image of His Son. So that means any quality, character trait, or action that Jesus has or did while here on earth is worthy of emulation. Isaiah 11:2-3 describes Jesus as the coming Messiah this way, “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear…”

Reading those verses stopped me in my tracks. Fear of the Lord is mentioned twice in that short passage. If we are to become more like Jesus… if we are to be known by His name… then we will yield to the Spirit the way He did. Jesus delighted in the fear of the Lord. As if this isn’t mind-blowing enough, ponder the fact that God delights in the awe and reverence of Himself in the person of His Son. God loves us enough to show us how — through the sacrifice of His Son — to find the deepest level of satisfaction a human can ever know. As adopted sons and daughters of God, bearing His name and His identity, Proverbs 9:10 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Having a strong identity in Christ is grounded in having a fear of the Lord.

What does all of this mean on a real-world, super practical, down-in-the-trenches level? When we’re actively walking in the fear of the Lord — through no power or effort of our own, but instead yielding to the work of the Spirit — we are far less likely to worry and future-trip, fly off the handle in anger, gossip and slander, harbor jealousy, cheat, or any other sin. Our awe of who God is — both for His justice and His incredible power — convicts our hearts, while the outpouring of His perfect love assures us that He will be with us every moment. We cultivate our fear of the Lord to live fearlessly for Him. Can we do it perfectly? Not even close. Will we have stops, starts, and backward progressions? Yes. We are not the Perfect One described in Isaiah 11. But we are human vessels for the Perfect One, so when we allow Him to shine through our weaknesses, others will see glimpses of fearlessness. Tiny visions of glory. Rays of hope. And they’ll want it too. Don’t be afraid to grab hold of the fear of the Lord. Is it safe? No. Is it good? Oh yes.

For Further Reflection and Deeper Study

Take some time to reflect on your understanding of the fear of the Lord and what it means in daily practice. How has your perception of it changed (either from when you were growing up or when you first started following Jesus)? What statement or scripture from this message resonated with you the most and why?
How have you let fears dominate your life? Which ones have plagued you the longest? How does the concept of fearing the Lord challenge your perspectives on the power and relevance of those fears? Google “verses about fear of God,” read a few of them, and then pick one that speaks to your heart to memorize. Pray it back to God and ask Him to make it real in your life.
Developing a healthy practice of fearing the Lord brings with it many more blessings than just fearlessness. Based on the verses you just looked up, list out the benefits of fearing God. Which one of those benefits do you long for the most and why?
If you like the CS Lewis stories and you’re looking for a daily devotional for your quiet time with God, consider this one: Walking Through the Wardrobe: A Devotional Quest Into the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by Sarah Arthur. The book is primarily aimed at teens and young adults, but the author’s Biblical insights are deep enough to challenge even the most seasoned believer.

Fight Your Fears with the Fear of the Lord

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When God's Love and Our Pain Collide

4/3/2019

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God's Love Heals and Gives Purpose to our Pain

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There is a visually striking ocean phenomenon called “cross sea” that happens when two widespread wave systems intersect with each other at nearly perpendicular angles. Strangely, however, the distinct checkerboard pattern that is formed on the ocean’s surface is not caused by anything you can see in the immediate viewing area. The deceptively mesmerizing, but potentially dangerous spectacle is caused by two distant and incredibly strong storm systems colliding hundreds or thousands of miles away. The swells radiating from the forces of these opposing storms eventually intersect, putting people and boats in the crosshairs. And even though you would think that such a pattern would be rare, it’s fairly common. It just seems rare because you have to be positioned high above the water’s surface on a mostly windless day to see it clearly. Since days at the beach or on the water are often accompanied by at least a breeze, the opportunity to observe a cross sea is highly unlikely.

Seeing God at work in our daily lives can often feel as rare as cross sea sighting. Yet the Bible makes it as clear as the Caribbean ocean that He not only cares about the details and struggles of our lives, He is actively involved in the minutia of our days. Like an invisible pattern on a vast ocean, His hand stretches out over the span of our years from birth to death, orchestrating our steps and encouraging us to simply follow His lead and trust His oversight. The concept is simple, but the execution is hard.

Many of us may be familiar with the John Lennon lyric that says, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” While that sentiment sounds highly agnostic and coldly cynical it’s not that far off from the real — but thankfully more comforting — truth. Proverbs 16:9 says, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” In other words as Emily P. Freeman recently said in her Next Right Thing podcast, “God will not let you miss your own future.” Now that’s not to say that we can’t do things that will put us far off course. Just re-read the story of Jonah and you’ll see exactly how God deals with us when we wander from — or purposefully rebel — to His calling on our lives. God used the power of the sea and a mighty whale to give Jonah a much-needed course correction. In that story, we vividly witness the force of God’s love colliding with Jonah’s self-induced pain to generate staggering results among a hurting and lost people.

While it’s highly unlikely that God will use a whale to give you a course correction, the pattern of scriptures — which ironically can only be seen through the vantage point of the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment — makes it clear that God uses the events, trials, and sufferings of our lives to either adjust our direction or use our pain to administer His love to others. And the vast majority of the time, He is allowing the pain in order to accomplish both. That’s because God most often reveals and administers His love through His people. That is His pattern. And it is our assurance in times of questioning, wondering, waiting, and worrying. Though often mysterious, we can count on His ways to be consistent (James 1:17). And the only way to really see them is through the power of the Holy Spirit, which happens over time as we actively learn to trust in God’s sovereignty, spend time with Him, read and meditate on His Word, worship Him, and give thanks for all things and for all situations.

This is not what we want to hear of course. This is not the pattern we want to see. We prefer to receive guidance without the struggle. We desire the blessings without the pain. That’s the nature of being human. It is why we all revert back to our five-year-old selves and cry out, “But that’s not fair. I deserve to be happy.” But Jesus whispers to us tenderly, “I know, my love. Believe me, I get it. Discomfort doesn’t feel good. Discipline is hard. Pain is heartbreaking. But when you learn to walk so close to Me that you can hear my thoughts and feel my ever-constant presence, everything in your life will be worthwhile. Everything will be redeemed for my glory. The nearness of Me in times of trial is sweeter, richer, and more pleasurable than even your happiest of days. But you’ll never discover that as long as mistrust dominates your heart and blinds your eyes to see the pattern of my hand at work in your life.”

One of the most soul-satisfying and joyful experiences you will ever receive on earth is seeing the fruit of your pain become life-altering nourishment for someone else engulfed by the same pain that previously dominated your life. Jesus said in John 16:33, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” When we stop fighting or denying the fact that we will encounter problems, and instead invite God to use whatever hardships we encounter for His glory, we become empowered to receive Jesus' promise to overcome. The problems still happen. The pain still causes hurt for a season. But we handle it like heavenly champions, rather than earthly spectators beaten down and going through the motions. We become vessels for the love of God. The dry and parched places of pain become well-springs of living water for others to come and find hope, healing, comfort, and hear the truth for themselves. Like the cross sea pattern, God’s love gushes out from us and collides with their pain, revealing the hand of a Creator compassionate enough to walk through the suffering before us just so we can see how it’s done and marvel at what waits on the other side.

No matter what you’ve been through, what’s happening right now, or what the future may bring, a divine calling rests upon your life. It is your true identity. You are not merely a human. You are not just a faceless sufferer tossed about in an unfair world. What happens to you is not random. You have a destiny intricately designed to change or impact someone else’s trajectory. Every experience, every pain, every moment has a purpose. Each day holds a promise and is covered by mercies rolling over you like the swells of the sea. That is the truth. The problem is most of us cannot see that reality because we’re only looking at the height of the waves or what other people are experiencing around us. So the problems and the frustrating people around us fill our vision and blind us to seeing our lives through God’s vantage point. Opportunities roll by over and over because we only see them as obstacles. When all along, each one could carry us closer to Jesus and more equipped to minister to others.

Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” While none of us would probably dare to say this verse isn’t true, we often live like it’s a bald-faced lie. How? By spending way too much time doubting, worrying, and questioning every single moment of discomfort, unhappiness, waiting, disappointment, irritation, or suffering. It’s not that God can’t handle our anger or answer our questions. It’s that we’d rather dwell on the fact that things aren’t going exactly as we’d prefer them, rather than welcoming them and then growing through whatever He allows or causes. Jesus doesn’t ask us to deny or squelch our feelings, He just doesn’t want us to dominated and led by them. When we trust that His ways are higher than ours and are willing to receive whatever He brings through them, only then does the fog clear from our eyes and His tender peace settles on our hearts. And the higher we climb toward Him, the more the winds die down, enabling us to hear His still, small voice. For every season of suffering… for every peak of pain… there is a vista of hope that awaits us. Take heart, my fellow traveler, and simply believe He knows the way ahead. Love does always win in the end… we only have to stay the course set forth by the Captain of lives.

For Further Reflection & Deeper Study

Read Jonah 1-3 and ask God to reveal Himself to you through the story of this prophet who ran from the Lord’s calling. How do you see yourself in Jonah’s behavior? Which times of pain in your life do you think God intended as a course correction? Recall what happened and ask the Lord to fill your heart with gratitude and vision for how He provided for you during that time.
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and then take some time to think of the greatest struggles and times of pain in your life. Journal about your reactions, frustrations, and feelings surrounding those times. Thank Jesus for carrying you through and ask Him to reveal to you any lingering bitterness or things you can do better next time with His help. Then ask God to reveal to you how — and to whom — He wants to use your pain to administer His love and comfort. You may want to find more encouragement by reading thisshort blog post on suffering or reading the book Where is God When it Hurts by Philip Yancey.
The core of our doubt or unbelief is usually tethered to a denial or rejection of God’s sovereignty. We want control of our own lives and the outcomes. We want to be arbiters of what’s fair and when things occur. Take a deep look in your heart and if you suspect that doubt, denial, or bitterness exists regarding God’s rightful control over your life, I encourage you to read or watch this sermon by John Piper. Packed full of powerful verses and no-nonsense truth, it will challenge your growth and comfort your heart.
If you struggle with anxiety, worry, and stress, I encourage you to check out this blog post, which includes some great resources (books, a video, and a free audio workshop) to help you find lasting peace in your heart and more calm in your life.
Please share your comments on today's post (see comment option below) and encourage others!

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