Tuesday

I didn't really know where to start, but if you can dispel any unsavory childhood memories of a loud and unruly chorus of over-zealous, rhythmically-unified, scripture-reciting machine 4th graders at your local Pioneer Clubs or AWANA meetings, then perhaps you'll find in yourselves a renewed appreciation for this passage.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

[Proverbs 3:5-8]

Well, that was the setting that came to my mind when I re-read this passage today.

I've been more sensitive to the notion of fearing God lately; that's mainly because I haven't been fearing him. I tend to believe in [and often become the subject of] God's sense of humor in that I find a certain comfort/comical element in humility. It's hard to initially laugh at my faultiness, but I do eventually come to a point where I'm grateful for that which the LORD has been teaching me and can only look back and laugh at my foolishness/folly of thinking I had my life all put together. So I ask, what does it mean to "fear the Lord?" That's a tough question. The soundest insight I may have right now is to be settled with not knowing, but trusting, that which the Lord would have for you. Sometimes people see me as a wise individual and come to me, confide in me, and seek advice and answers. I let that get to my head more often than not, and sometimes neglect the fact that all wisdom is God-given...this would be being "wise in my own eyes." By priding myself on maturity/wisdom, I prouded myself on relationships I've formed and the role which I have in some people's lives.

That was errant of me. On Sunday a fear of the Lord overcame me to a point where I sought to make signficant changes in my mindset, fasting from situations and people in whom I would compromise the shift and to instead seek the Lord where he is to be found and to call on him while he is near. I don't necessarily know what this'll look like; I'm still trying to grasp the "realness" of it all. Humility always gets me, but when broken or brought so low, the Lord works and encompasses us in his abundant grace and mercy. As Eric shared earlier, we have a calling, as Christ's body, to encourage one another and build each other up, championing each other to lives of significance [sorry to utilize a lame North Park Cliche], but more imporantly the establishment of the Kingdom. Humility, I believe, is a key aspect to genuine community. Through the fear of the Lord and an intentional embrace of humility, the health of the body will only strengthen and become so strong that evil cannot penetrate it. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. [Proverbs 1:7]

So, have some thoughts today, as vague and disconnected as they may be. And be blessed, brothers and sisters, I've been most blessed by your genuine community of late.

Peter