I hated getting in trouble (and still do).
When I was in 2nd grade, we were lining up after recess to return to our classes. One of teachers (a not so pleasant peach of a lady) was really hollering at the whole lot of us feral creatures to be quiet. She said, “I don’t want to hear a PEEP, from you when we go inside!”
I knew she was dead serious plus she was never one who messed around, but for some reason, and without much thinking, I let out the smallest yet ever so loud, PEEP!
WHO SAID THAT!!! She ROARED. Terror RUSHED over me and I panicked, heart racing fearing the pending pain in store. I don’t really remember what happened next except that I was in tears at the trouble I was in and the punishment that would follow.
That created a mindset that lasted throughout my developing years and well into adulthood (still showing up from time to time): Live loud enough to be noticed but not too loud to get the wrong attention.
I found it playing itself out mostly in driving, dating, and pursuing the divine.
My heart wanted to please God but there was continuous tension in just trying NOT to BE BAD.
When I came to a realization that I was making more decisions based on whether or not I’d get in trouble, God opened my eyes to a brand new way I could be living my life.
David is a perfect example of what that life looks like. I’ve always found myself drawn to this biblical celebrity for some reason, but wasn’t ever sure why, exactly. He’s a man’s man, a valiant leader, a celebrated hero and yet also a total loser and a big time failure.
Before we even meet him, we get the idea that there is something special about David’s heart, the core of who he is, the spiritual being inside this flesh cocoon. In 1 Samuel 13:14, God sends a message to the reigning king, Saul, saying, “But now your kingdom will not continue. The LORD has sought out a man AFTER HIS OWN HEART…” And David is introduced shortly after.
This is a theme all throughout David’s life. Even through his affair and conspiring for murder we still see this attached to him.
How?
Here’s what I’ve discovered and the change of my mindset has taught me. Despite the 365 times that scripture is said to record the phrase, “Do not be afraid,” or some variation of it, none of them come during David’s life (that I can find).
David gives his son Solomon this sentiment and tells him to have courage. David also writes in multiple Psalms lyrics that reflect a life of full confidence and trust in God that emboldens him despite the darkness or whatever the despair. But nowhere do we find God saying it TO David.
What’s in it for me? For you?
1 John 4 tells about the perfect love of God. John writes that LOVE in us is GOD in us and this love is something profound and powerful. But he also addresses the way I used to think about my BMS - behavior management system.
John says that this PERFECT LOVE EXPELS ALL FEAR, because fear has to do with punishment. He’s talking about being scared to say PEEP for fear of the consequences that follow. And when we experience the LOVE of God in its real and raw form, we shift to embracing God’s grace instead of avoiding speed traps for fear of tickets.
This doesn’t mean we’ll drive as fast as we want because we’ve got a get out of jail free card. It doesn’t mean that we’ll never face consequences for our actions, either. It just means that our desire to live for God changes our actions AND it drives out our fear of being spanked by God. It turns into living for God rather than living to avoid God’s wrath!
We still stumble, we still must confess, we still face repercussions, and there are absolutely still hard times. But we’re never afraid in it and we can give courage to others because of it.
#DontGetCaught
#LoveOverFear
#F.E.A.R.
#RestoringWholenessOfLife
Brett
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