What Is It That Keeps You Up At Night?
Surely I am not alone when it comes to a sleepless night. Tonight is one of those nights (or should I say now the wee hours of the morning). May I ask, “What is it the keeps you up at night?” Googling the topic it would seem for many it is the boogeyman of fear, worry, or anxiousness. I’ve been there!
Gratefully that’s not what disturbs my sleep as much these days. Usually for me it seems God wants an after class conversation about some aspect in my prior days activities. He lovingly encourages me to share my thoughts. What I saw. What I felt. How will this continue to shape me?
Personally God has done some of his best work in these quiet hours. Sometimes I journal (or blog) which helps me meditate on God’s words to me (and perhaps to others).
Now if your still reading (and haven’t dozed off yourself), you may be in suspense as to what God’s lesson is for me this night? Ironically, it focuses on that “unholy trinity” of fear and worry and anxiousness. Its uncomfortable shadow seemed to color each conversation and step of my day.
I love the diversity and uncertainty of my daily calendar. I’m always looking to join God in where he is already at work. Among many other places, prominently today I followed God to a luncheon of local clergy, to a high school classroom for training on working with kids in poverty, a conversation with a couple in marriage crisis, a go-to-meeting conference call with missionaries all around the world — and finally in my own home, watching our President speak of the epidemic of gun violence in our nation.
And in all of these, some facet of fear, and worry, and anxiousness could be found. Some in early entanglement. Others working toward solutions. And it’s the human emotion of fear that activates warning lights in our brains evoking the actions of either fight or flight. For instance, take everyones’s guns or give everyone guns!
I’m no politician nor do I want to be! However in reality, all of us “…are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us…” 2 Corinthians 5:20
In a world on the edge of being overrun by a spirit fear at every turn, pastors dialoguing the new “open carry” gun laws in Texas, educators teaching hungry and homeless kids, missionaries strategizing gospel solutions for a spiritually dying nation, and citizens looking with suspicion at everyone different from themselves — does King Jesus, does the Gospel lend a sure and comforting voice into this paralyzing environment of fear?
As I am listening to Jesus, this is what he is teaching me. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear…” 1 John 4:18.
And Eugene Peterson in Matthew 10:28 of the Message adds, “Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. [fear, worry, anxiousness] There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.”
In God’s economy love and fear are polar opposites. Could I ask, what is it you are loving and what is it you are fearing in life? Because of Jesus, love is what I am choosing daily as a foundational mooring in a shifting and sometimes scary world.
Recently my son Chad has introduced me to the worship song by Chris Tomlin, “Good Good Father”. It’s a catchy little tune and I really like the words. It is speaking to me and perhaps will to you. I leave you with some of the lyrics.
Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think you’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you’re pleased
And that I’m never alone
You’re a Good, Good Father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
Oh, and I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching
For answers only you provide
Cause you know just what we need
Before we say a word
You’re a Good, Good Father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am.
Peace,
Jim
Great thoughts, Jim. I’m learn that fear is at the root of nearly every struggle in my life. There seems to be some blockage to fully receiving God’s love which allows fear to taunt or take hold, manifesting as worry, anxiety, striving, co dependency, and various other flesh driven responses.