I'm a fearful person. Anyone in the boat with me on that one? A week ago, Ryan and I hauled a car down to Muncie for a friend...and we arrived at the car shop about 10:30 at night. We were in a part of town I would deem questionable...and we were around back unloading the thing off the trailer and rolling up all the straps that had held it in place.
Or at least that was what Ryan was doing. I was half-heartedly helping while glancing furtively about, wondering when the secret killer would jump out from behind a vehicle...listening for snapping twigs...
...and wondering why in the world I thought hours and hours of Criminal Minds would be a good idea to watch.
And as he worked and I kept watch, Ryan said to me, "Why are you so caught up in fear?"
Why? It's very simple! Have you not SEEN Criminal Minds??
And that brings me to my point. Do you wonder why I'm caught up in fear? Have you not looked around? The city where I spend all day every day just had its 20th homicide in the first half of the year. One of them was one block from where I work, smack in the middle of a sunny afternoon. I think of it every day when I pass the intersection where the man was gunned down in the
middle of the street.
Have you not looked around?
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
"Rise, and have no fear."
And when they lifted up their eyes,
they saw no one but Jesus only.
~ Matthew 17:7-8 ESV ~
And therein lies my problem. I'm looking around instead of looking up.When I look up, I see Jesus. The same Jesus who said over and over, Do. Not. Fear.
This is unlikely to change what's happening around me. I could drive to Fort Wayne tomorrow and crime could take another life a block away. It could happen. I could go back to that car shop in Muncie and some guy could jump out from behind a car, because he saw the same episode of Criminal Minds that I saw, and it gave him an idea.
It could happen.
But if I lift up my eyes, I see no one but Jesus only. And He's all I need.
4 comments:
Love your post...it is so appropriate for our time! Oh that all of us could keep our focus where it should be...on Him and not on others!!! Thankfully, Jesus Christ determines history, not the criminals and politicians (and sometimes there isn't much difference on that one).
He also knows the number of hairs on that pretty head of yours and He will determine the time, manner, and place of your death. He expects you to use your head and be aware of your surroundings, but keep your eyes on Him.
And maybe you shouldn't watch Criminal Minds. lol
Love you much,
Aunt Karen
This would be a good verse for me to focus on for these next two weeks. I really struggle with fear. I haven't picked mine yet which I also need to do.
Oh Bekah!!! I am a Criminal Minds addict!!! I too have wondered WHY I watch that goofy show!!! And I am the same hesitant girl you are!! Always looking around ! Actually I do believe we SHOULD be aware of our surroundings and do what we can to be safe. We just need to truly believe that Christ is the author of our lives. He is with us... even in questionable areas and situations. Now... we just need to find a Criminal Minds support group !! LOL!!
Be safe !
MJ
Aunt Karen (YAY! I never like to presume it's okay to adopt the aunt without permission, so thanks for offering that!) - You are so right - on all counts - right down to not watching Criminal Minds!! (I don't anymore - it's just that I watched too many along the way.)
Natasha - We seem to be learning together along the way this year!
MJ - You watch it because Thomas Gibson is a cutie!! At least that's why I watched it (before Ryan, of course.) He was just as cute in Dharma and Greg though, and that's a much less scary show.
If you find the support group, let me know!
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