Clay in the Hands

As I sat down this morning for part of my time alone with God, I decided to use a practice I turn to frequently – prayerful reading (lectio divina).  I turned on my computer and opened my online Bible.  There for me to read on the front page was the verse of the day.  I would normally have clicked passed this to a passage to start my time with God, but for some reason, I felt a nudge to stay with this verse.

Proverbs 29:25, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in God is kept safe.”

We are entering a journey in the life of our church family here at 1st B and on the outset, it seems too big and illusive to really get our heads around.  We are at the very cusp of what will be a new era in our church.

As I pray about God’s leadership in this endeavor, I often find myself doubting.  Thoughts flood my mind like: “What if we miss it?” or ‘What if we fail?” or even “What will other people think?”  I guess at the root of all the anxiety is that last one – what will people think.  If we attempt something big and fail, what will others in the community think?

The writer of Proverbs warns us that fearing what others might think is an immobilizing trap; a trap I believe  leads to complacency.  We throw up our hands before we even start and say, “It can’t be done – its just too big.”

I have said this before but the fact of the matter is complacency is the cancer that is killing the church.

The cure for this cancer is trust.  While the writer of Proverbs gives us this warning about fear, he also encourages us by reminding us that those who trust God walk in God’s protection.

Whatever you are facing today that seems too big – don’t fear.  Simply trust.  God has a plan and that plan includes protecting you.

Live boldly today!