Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.

Let's see who can relate. Southern Baptist church, Sunday school first for everyone, even the adults; then "big church." Big church begins with a welcome, usually from the music minister, who then directs the robed choir and congregation in singing a couple of hymns (from the hymnal, not the screen) in the 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 100th verses. The choir is dismissed, and the preacher takes over the pulpit. He was usually a charismatic man, full of knowledge, wielding the Bible as he spoke, growing more intense in his language, tone, and volume as his sermon progressed. As a child, I remember having lots of feelings and questions. Why is he yelling? Why is he telling me I am going to Hell? Why is God mad at me? I was not good enough, and God was furious with me, which translated to actual FEAR. I can remember sitting in the backseat on the way to church, looking out the window into the clouds, thinking about how I was going to hear how angry God is with me…again. I'd better get "right," except I didn't know what that meant...YET.

Obviously, I had a lot to learn about our Lord and my walk in my faith, but this FEAR I felt was real, but only because I did not know HIM…and I was just a kid! Did you ever feel this way, or was it just me? 

I now know I didn't have the knowledge or "wisdom" I needed to understand the greatness of God. In Psalm 111, we are told that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." This kind of FEAR is different from what I felt as a child. 

A clearer definition in the Bible of what it means to "fear the Lord" can be found in Deuteronomy 10:12-13:

"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you?
To fear the LORD your God,
to walk in all his ways,
to love him,
to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
and to keep the commandments of the LORD…"

Through my walk, I have learned so much and gained some wisdom (though I could still use some more). I know I still have plenty to learn, but what I do know is that our God is a loving God. He is merciful. He is full of grace. He forgives, and He knows our hearts inside and out. He is my calm when my anxiety is trying to take over. He is my constant reminder that His plans are always the best, and that my faith in Him will lead me to be more like Him. According to Psalm 112, I will be BLESSED.

"Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments."

Now, as a more mature Christian, I have warm memories of my childhood and of my experiences in church. The sweet Sunday school teachers who led us through Scripture in a very structured classroom, and the metallic star stickers when we recited the verse correctly. The smiling grandmother at the keys who taught us every children's Bible song known to man. I still have my favorites. AND even that preacher who scared the bageezes out of me. He was passionate. He was determined to make Heaven crowded. It took the whole CHURCH COMMUNITY to fuel my faith. I am thankful for our church, our House Church, our community, and the people that we now call family. I sure didn't get here by myself.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God's Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today's passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.