Fear

Why is it that we humans like to be scared, startled and frightened? I was playing hide-and-seek with the kids last night and they thought is was great fun for Daddy to hide in the dark somewhere and then pop out when they get close and yell 'ahhhhh'. Then they would all jump and scream and run and laugh and we would do it all over again! Literally for hours on end!

Or why is it that we like thrilling, suspenseful movies or books - where you are on the edge of your seat the whole time, your heart beating at 150 bpm with your hands covering your face. And the music that goes with those movies - you know the music which intensifies that suspense and fear and anticipation. And we love it! Just waiting in anticipation for that boogey-man or space alien to pop out of the woodwork so we can scream and laugh and pay $10-$15 to do it again next time!

We love the fear, the anticipation, the adrenaline. But why is it that we don't behave in the same way when it comes to God? Why don't we fear God more, respect Him more, be more in awe of Him? The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prov 1.7 - of course this is a slightly different 'fear' but nonetheless...). Or why doesn't the anticipation of Jesus' return keep us on the edge of our seats more? Or why doesn't the thought of heaven and being in God's presence for all eternity excite us more like it should?

Perhaps it is because we are too grown up? Maybe our faith should be like a child's? Oh well, I still enjoy a good suspenseful movie or book that keeps me on the edge of my seat. But I know I enjoy the 'real action' more. The one that has a happy ending. One which we already know...

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Rev 22.1-5