Tomorrow is Election Day, and if the political ads are telling us anything it's that we're to be afraid of what is happening to our country and of the opposing candidate. The political platforms seem to be largely based on fear.
Today, however, is All Saints' Day: a day when the church honors the lives of the faithful who have gone before us. We remember their witness. And their witness gives us hope. The saints (not just those canonized by the Vatican, but all who lived and died following Christ) remind us of the teaching of John that "perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment" (1 John 4:18). When the Bible talks about fear, it is often the fear of the Lord--the one fear we should frequently practice. This was the fear the saints knew--the fear that made them saints.
Fear of the Lord is not an easy thing to comprehend. It's not about being scared of God--though it is having a healthy respect of His power. We're not to be afraid of God, but to behold Him with awe and reverence.
I was reading from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to the boys tonight. The Beaver family has these things to say about Aslan: "'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you" and "if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."
Instead of throwing money at horror movies or political ads (think of all that could have been done with the billions--yes, billions--used on those horrible television commercials), take time to
think what it means to fear God and to walk humbly with Him your whole life. (And if you must throw money at something, give to your church--most of us aren't anywhere near actually tithing, let alone giving above that as Jesus calls us to do.)
1 comment:
I know! I was thinking this today. I read somewhere that we could have virtually solved the world water crisis with the political campaign money this year alone. That shocks and offends me.
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