Fear God pt.1
Fear:
Deep respect; reverence
Following Christ can sometimes feel like a lonely journey, not to say that you’re actually alone, because you always have God, but to say that genuine friends may be harder to come by these days, and you and your family may not quite be seeing eye to eye as you did before. This may not seem like God’s will for your life in this season of your life because let’s be honest, it doesn’t feel good, but the word of God tells us that walking with Christ means choosing Him and His will for your life over loved ones. This will inevitably cause strife in the midst of some of our relationships, if not all (See Matthew 10:34-39).
The closer you get to God, the easier it becomes to discern insincerity in others. If you’re anything like me, this may make you want to retreat into your little cocoon, where it’s just you and God against the world, because in there, at least you don’t have to tiptoe around people who hide a scowl behind a smile, right?
As a fellow retreater, sorry to have to break it to you, but no, that’s not right. Though God enjoys spending time alone with us, complete isolation is not quite how God intended for us to live life on this earth. The word of God tells us that it’s not good for “man” to be alone; two is better than one, three even better. For where two or more are gathered God hears them.
Take it from me, the gift of discernment may not always feel like a gift, but nevertheless, it’s a gift; a blessing. I’ve spoken on discernment before, but as I was talking to God, as usual, He sent some corrections my way, so I thought I’d share it with you all.
We’re called to fear the Lord. “Fear” here means to respect or show reverence to. In my conversation with God, I realized that as 100% humans, we tend to fear (respect or show reverence to) those who are dear to us. Don’t get me wrong, in my opinion, there’s a certain level of respect we should have for everyone we come across, but there comes a point where it crosses the line, where respect or reverence to another becomes detrimental to your soul. This is when your fear of them leads you down a path of disobedience to God.
At some point throughout your journey with Christ, God will call you to step out in faith regarding what He’s personally revealed to you, and you alone. I can tell you from experience that the ones you hold dear may not be 100% on board with the decisions you make regarding your “word from God”. They may think you're crazy, stubborn, a “know it all”, holier than thou, etc. Nevertheless, how they feel about you and your decision holds little to no weight in the grand scheme of things. This is your life, and when it all falls apart because your fear of people was greater than your fear of God, you’ll have to live with it, not them.
When it comes to living a life of obedience, despite the opinions of loved ones, I always think this to myself: In the night, when I’m all alone, it’s not them I will have to answer to for my failure to obey, it will be the Lord.
I say all this to say, I know you may sometimes feel like you need to appease your loved ones (friends and family) over God in order that you may not be alone, but I come to tell you that it’s not worth your future, and it’s most definitely not worth your soul. Trust God; trust that He will bring you your tribe of individuals who understand your convictions, and your desire to obey God over all else.
It won’t be easy as you linger in the between where you only have God who truly understands, but don’t lose hope, it gets better, it gets easier; almost too easy to be alone (that’s a story for another day). God’s connecting you with your tribe just be patient, stay obedient, stay the course, and be 100% you, your tribe won’t recognize the you that you conjure up for the sake of being accepted, but they’ll recognize unapologetically authentic you who God calls His.
Scripture to reflect on:
Genesis 2:18
18) The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Proverbs 3:7
7) Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
7) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10) If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11) Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12) Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Matthew 10:34-39
34) “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35) For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36) a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37) “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38) Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39) Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
