What is Missing? This Really Got Me Link-up
What is missing?
It is a great question to ponder in our own lives, in the lives of our churches.
Why is my worship so flat?
Why does Bible Study not interest me?
Why can’t I get fifth and sixth graders to sing praises to God?
Why do I feel so hopeless?
What is missing?
I honestly think the biggest thing missing is fear.
I know, it sounds crazy, but I am serious. We have no fear or reverence for much of anything any more.
Reverence is for those people who only like to sing hymns and insist on wearing ties to church. I know I used to think so too.
The truth is reverence is a feeling of profound awe and respect and often love; veneration. And for those of you who like me were like veneer – what? Veneration means profound respect or reverence.
We look in awe at the power of a lion or the beauty of a sunset. We admire that great touchdown and maybe even revere that quarterback.
But do we show reverence, awe, fear even for God?
Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. . .”
To start down the path to wisdom we must begin with fearing God, but often we don’t.
Yes God is full of grace and mercy, but God is also a fearsome God. He holds the power of the weather in His hands. He holds the universe together and He is a righteous judge.
In fact all the prophets who got a glimpse of God did not run and hug Him. Instead they fell face down in fear. After seeing the LORD in a vision Isaiah said, “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:5)
There on the floor Isaiah began in wisdom.
And here is the answer. My worship is not alive because I do not fear God. I do not understand what it meant for the holy sinless God to become sin for me. I do not recognize that I am a woman of unclean lips. Instead I act like I am doing God a favor for taking the name “Christian.”
Oh that I would know how depraved I am and how awesome God is. There is where fear and wisdom begin.
There is where worship comes alive and God’s Word breathes. In humility hope blooms because “He is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine according to His power that is at work in me.” (Ephesians 3:20)
Yes God is my Friend and Savior, but God is also wholly different, glorious, holy, and amazing. He is to be feared and He is good. He is the Lion and the Lamb. He is God.
What do you think about the idea of fearing God? Share with me your thoughts and link-up your This Really Got Me post!
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The fear of God plays a critical role in shaping a believers life, it is a gift from God that allows us to be more receptive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit which provides better understanding of Him. It results in a deeper and healthier relationship with Him and guides us in our decision making.
When we are obedient to God we become more confident in Him. Just like when a child matures through a combination of love and fear for her earthly father in order to walk in obedience, so too are we to love and fear the Lord in order to continue growing and maturing spiritually, until our motivation for obedience is transformed from a fear of discipline to one rooted in love. The more we grow and love the Lord; the more we should fear disappointing Him.
Thanks Jeff. I so agree with you. Thanks for stopping by!
You raise a great point here. Fear is missing so often due to our inability to comprehend God’s greatness. We, too often, put ourselves at the same level as God. Maybe that is one reason why our suffering is so very important. It opens our eyes to our smallness and his greatness. Wonderful post!
Thanks Theresa. Yes perhaps it is in the suffering that we can see our smallness…