| Fear: a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. As children, what do we do when we are afraid? Looking back at my own youngster hood, I recall the optimal option to be-Hide. Whether under the covers, or in mom and dad's safe embrace-but it almost always included covering my face-because if I can't see it, it can't see me. I have been contemplating much lately about fear, and realizing what a large root of it I have in my life-primarily the fear of rejection. I find myself holding back, so afraid to take that next step (sometimes literally). So, I have been praying it through-why do I fear, and what is that fear doing to me and my walk with the Lord. And today, I see a big part of it. Since Core a couple weeks ago, I have been stuck on the passage of 2nd Corinthians dealing with being ministers of the New Covenant and the Glory of the New Covenant (2 Cor. 2:12-3:18). Today, I saw it-the detriment of fear and a great reason we have not to fear. Chapter 3, vs. 12 states: Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.(NIV). The Message says: With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back. And the Amplified clarifies: Since we have such [glorious] hope (such joyful and confident expectation), we speak very freely and openly and fearlessly. And what is it this hope is founded in? v. 11-And if what was fading away (speaking of the glory in the law) came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! (NIV)-it is referring to the ministry of the Spirit, this new covenant that speaks life, not death. I had to ask myself-why am I not free and open and fearless? v. 17 says Now the Lord is Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.(NIV). Again, the Message: And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us!(I have to say, I like the Message a lot!!!!) So, if I am not free, does that bear witness that the Spirit of God is not present? And then I felt a revised question stir-am I allowing the Spirit of God to be evidently present? Or am I holding back, veiling my face like Moses? (Ex. 34:32-36). Moses would stand uncovered before the Lord, but when he left his presence, the wall came down, the veil hid the evidence of his being in God's presence. Do the walls I put up hide the evidence of God in my life? Chapter 3:18 says: And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.(NIV). The Message says: Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him The Amplified says: And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. Going back to the NIV, it says "Now we, [who is we?]-who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's Glory [that is we], are being transformed in his likeness, with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." If we (and I am referring to myself) are not with unveiled faces reflecting the Lord Glory-how can we ever hope to be transformed more into his likeness? If I am not faithful to display the level of his likeness now, why would I think I can become more? Fear is not just keeping me bound in stepping out, it is really keeping me bound from growing and moving on with the Lord-because growth means opening, blooming, expanding-and if all I do is shrink inward and hope not to be seen for fear of rejection-I rob the Lord of an opportunity to be glorified, and I rob myself of the glory of truly being in his presence. So, I say all of this to conclude-if you know me and I am holding back or walking in timidity, please, call me on it-I can't afford to live in fear any longer-God is to great to keep behind a veil because of selfish insecurity. |
