Meeting your maker

Luke 2: 8-14

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
The one fear that is seldom talked about but causes fear nonetheless is the fear of being before the Lord, or “meeting your maker”. I had a very good friend of mine that anytime something would come up that he thought was questionable, his response was always the same. “ ugh- uhhh, I will have to explain that to the Lord, and just what am I gong to tell him?” We all will bear our souls before the Lord, he will make the dark corners light, and he will remove all shadows. IN the reading above it shows that not only did the angel of the Lord appear, but the glory of the Lord shone around him, and the shepherds were not scared….they were terrified.
I think it is fair to say that most of us would react the same way. Many men throughout the Bible have fear grip them when the Lord presents Himself to them. Moses, Abraham, Isaiah, Job, Peter….they all were scared, they all felt as if they were not worthy, they questioned why me, instead of what can I do?

The beauty of the Lord coming in to our lives, and making his will known to us is not reason to fear. The Shepard’s were terrified; yet look at the news that was being brought to them. A savior was coming in to the world. Christ was on the way, that is news not to fear, but to celebrate!

The birth of Christ is exactly why we have no reason to fear any longer. I know that so many people hear that and they say yeah right….don’t worry, easy for you to say….you don’t know what all I have going on……you have no idea how full my plate is….What I am just supposed to forget all about it? TO all of those questions, and any like them, all I can say is you are right, I do not know what all you have going on, but the Lord does. No I am not saying that you should forget about all your responsibilities, I am saying quit fearing them, lay your problems at the feet of Christ, let him take the worry form you. Yes you will have struggles, yes times might still be tough, but there is nothing to fear, there is no need to worry, wring your hands, and let yourself get worked up. Ask the Lord for guidance, and LISTEN. God has always promised to take care of his people, and Christ not only proves that point, but Christ himself tells us that we are in Him, as He is in His Father.

Life will always hold challenges, there will always be interruptions, distractions, loss, and yes, there will always be fear trying to poke its head into your heart. All of these are nothing more than an opportunity to trust in the Lord. Joshua 1:9 sums it up well: “….Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

He is with you always, lean on him, trust in him, you will see your fear and worry for what they really are nothing more than wasted emotion, and misplaced trust.

Peace,
Rev. Thetford