Proverbs 9
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom …v10.
Why do I care so much? Why so concerned with people? I am constantly trying to read the signs, thinking through the words, observing behaviour, monitoring the faces of people. I must not offend, I must please, I must be clever, funny, sound intelligent. I must be tidy, I must be articulate. Why do I want people to like me, accept me, be pleased with me? I sleep, eat, work, breathe on a stage, dancing to the tunes of those who want more, who want to applaud or jeer. Please clap me. I can do better. I can do more, just watch me. You haven’t seen anything yet. Sometimes I look up and catch a glimpse of this imaginary audience, perplexed that their voice is so much louder than anything I have heard in the reality of life. Yet the imagination is the reality. And I am in fear.
Am I alone? The answer can be seen on Facebook right now.
And into this milieu of mess I make my wise decisions. But no more, it ends today.
God is bigger than people and the audience in my head.
God I am really concerned about what you think. I watch my words and my behaviour because you watch me. I do not want to offend you. I want to please you, I want to sleep, eat, work, breathe You. I want to dance to your tune. I look up and gaze on you mighty God. You are an immoveable, all-encompassing foundation for my past, present and future life. You are mighty to save and mighty to keep. You rule over heaven and earth and over me. You are deliverer, protector, Saviour, one who moves, one who sees, a fortress, loving, a shield, mighty, ruler, a strength, a refuge, You are!
And into this milieu of delight I begin to make new decisions. And I realise that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Missions Paul 