I Love You So Much That It’s Scary

I am terrified of heights.  When I was a kid, my family went on a vacation to the Grand Canyon.  While my brother would race to climb over the safety railing to get a better look, I didn’t even want to get out of the tour bus.

I don’t even like climbing ladders.  Unless there is a snake at the bottom, I’d climb that ladder so fast!

I have joked in the past that I am afraid of snakes and heights because that is how God created me, to keep me safe.

While I say that humorously, the truth is, often with our fears, there is an element of reason behind them.  I fear heights because I know what can happen if I fall from up high.  Sure, often, our fears cross over into the realm of irrationality.  But, there are lots of times a shred of truth in our concerns.

This is because we subconsciously respect the authority that what we fear has.  I know to fear or respect the authority that a rattlesnake has when I am in his territory. If I am hiking along, and I hear that rattle going as a warning that I am too close… I know to carefully back off.

Or when I approach the edge of the Grand Canyon or the top of a tall ladder, and I get the feeling of butterflies in my stomach, I know to pay close attention to my balance and footing.

The Bible mentions “the fear of the Lord” or “the fear of God” over 300 times.  Our Western understanding of the word “fear” might lead us to believe that we should be afraid of God.  But that isn’t quite what this phrase means.

The Hebrew word in the original text that we’ve translated to “fear” is “Yirah.”  Which translates to fear.  But not so much fear as in being afraid, but awe and respect.

It is the idea that we respect the power and authority of God.  Similar to a healthy fear (respect) of things like heights, snakes, spiders, and your boss. 

It does not mean that we should cower from God.  Or that we have an irrational fear of God because He may act dangerously and unpredictably.

The “Yirah”- fear of the Lord means that we love God so much, and we recognize His power and authority and want to live by it, that we foster a lifelong awe of Him.

Fearing the Lord is mentioned as the foundation of wisdom. When we fear the Lord, we are choosing to live a life that is mindful of God’s presence, obey His laws and direction, and act with respect and humility.

It is a daily concession that God knows best, and I don’t. So, I fear stepping out of obedience to Him because I am in awe and have respect for His authority in my life.

The Bible is not calling us to shrink back away from God for fear that He may inflict pain on us.  But that we should confidently step into the plans and purposes He has called us to.

What is God calling you to?

Are you in awe of Him?

Do you love Him so much that you fear doing anything other than being in a relationship with Him?

This is the foundation for wisdom and a purpose-filled life!  Build on it today!