Everyone Starts Somewhere

Everyone starts somewhere, and starting points abound. Each life begins at the starting point of conception. Each new day dawns full of hope and anticipation. Marriage, a new semester, a new job, a new exercise routine, a new diet are all starting points of one kind or another. Each starting point allows us to set or renew our intention and direction. The ancient Hebrew wisdom in the Book of Proverbs reminds us that foundational to any starting point is the fear of the Lord. In other words the starting point of all starting points is to Fear God.

Fear is not something that we readily embrace. In fact, it is something we do our best to avoid.  That is of course unless you like roller coasters or skydiving. Yet the Bible tells us to embrace the fear of God. What does it mean to fear God? It is simply to acknowledge that He exists.  To know God is to fear Him. But why, is He mean or vindictive? No, He is good but He is not predictable. A real God will do as He pleases, when He pleases, and how he pleases. He doesn’t check it with us first. We need to check in with Him.

But what God should we acknowledge? Is it the god of Islam, a Native American god, Buddha, the god of Mormonism? Maybe any old God would do. After all, don’t all religions lead to the same god? Our answer is right in front of us. Notice how the word “LORD” is in all capital letters in Proverbs 1:7? That is the translators way of letting us know that behind that translation is the name of the God of the Bible, Yahweh. It is the God of the Bible we are to fear and no other.

So as you embrace your next starting point check in with the God of the Bible.  First acknowledge that He exists and ask Him to give you knowledge, wisdom, and instruction as you start out.  But be ready to be disrupted! He is good but not predictable.