Fear Whom?

But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell.  Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before GOD. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:5-6 ESV

What are you afraid of?  Me?  Okay, I’ll admit it.  I like scary movies (much to the consternation of my husband).  Classic horror.  The horror where the bump in the night is a monster.  Or the chase—running like a mad woman trying to escape fate.  My love of horror might also explain why I have to sleep with a nightlight.

But in real life, what am I afraid of?  Many things. But the top of the list are certain Bible verses.  There are Bible verses I don’t understand.  They teach me something different than I’m used to or comfortable with.  They call me out of my comfort zone.  And call me to a life that I’m not ready to live, yet.

Enter by the narrow gate.  For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.  Matthew 7:13-14 ESV

And I fear that the narrow gate is far narrower and harder than I ever could have possibly imagined.  It is so easy to take my eyes off the mark—the LORD.  I rail again the rising tide, crying that evil is gaining ground.  But besides crying against it, do I do anything to stem the tide?

Yes, evil gains ground.  But that has been true for years.  I’m not the first to notice or experience it.  Yet, I’m focusing on the wrong thing.  My eyes once again have wandered.  JESUS.  By HIM the Victory has already been won.  Evil may gain ground, temporarily.  But JESUS has won us the victory.  HE who can cast us into hell, provided a way—a way from the darkness into the light.  HE calls.  Do I answer?  Am I afraid?  Or will I answer and keep my eyes on the ONE?