I recently spent a few days with a friend whom I had not seen in about 15 years. It was a wonderful reunion. One of our topics of discussion was the matter of retirement and transitioning. My friend has worked for years as an ophthalmologist and now is looking for new ways to feel productive and useful in his retirement. Many people face new challenges and transitions. It seems sometimes like change and transitions are an integral part of life in the early 21st century. There is understandably great fear and apprehension as people face an uncertain future.
Fear is a profound emotion. It can paralyze. It is easy to suggest that a person in such circumstances ought to be trusting and confident and thereby overcome the terror of fear! But life is not always so easy.
In the early summer season in North America, where the terrain is mountainous, there is danger of flooding as snow melts on mountains miles away. In other regions floods can rise when summer rains descend on earth. As you read this, please picture a raging river. When we lived in Arizona I was amused to see signs that warned of flash floods. In the desert? Sure! Was I in a for a surprise when the winter rains hit. In no time at all a dry wash became a raging torrent of water. Invincible 4X4 drivers seemed the most likely candidates to lose their vehicles to fast flowing waters. Those signs, I found out, were put there for a reason. Maybe a raging river can form a metaphor for you as you look at rivers you must cross in your life!
How can you prevent the waves of fear and anxiety in life from overwhelming and paralyzing you?
There is a great story in ancient Jewish history of Jewish people in the time of Joshua, crossing a river. They were assured by their God that when the feet of the priests touched the water's edge that it would result in dry ground before them. They did not know until they tested the waters.
It seems to me we have a great lesson here! We note a great picture of human responsibility coupled with an unwavering trust in God. It is hard to strike a balance here. Sometimes we feel we ought to do nothing and simply wait for God to act. "Let go and let God" is how we put it. Others of us rely largely or exclusively on human effort. We grit our teeth and plunge ahead. If we pray at all, it is essentially to ask God to agree with what we have already decided to do.
Joshua and his multitudes paint a well-balanced picture. The river did not dry up until the priests set their feet in the water. Can you imagine what a scene this must have been? Can you imagine the fear and hesitancy of the priests? Or, do you suppose they boldly marched toward the river, completely confident that the moment their feet got wet, the river would suddenly miraculously cease to flow? I presume there might have been some of each of these reactions.
Are you fearful of the future? Fearful of decisions you must make? Fearful of your health? Fearful of wars and unrest around the world? Fearful of ............? There are hosts of reasons to be fearful. The picture of a raging river that suddenly ceases to flow and causes huge pileups of water upstream is an amazing scene. It represents to me how we ought to live. We must begin with a strong confidence in God. We need to remind ourselves that He loves us unconditionally. Perfect love casts out fear, says the Scripture. If we count on the truth that God loves us unconditionally our fears diminish. This does not mean we have no responsibility whatever. We must move in obedience and get our feet wet! Herein is the secret.
What fears are you facing today? If you allow fear to paralyze you it probably will. If you act to do what you know you ought to do, your fears will be conquered. Take that first step! Step into the water!
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