Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hello in the morning, dear ones.

Lots going on in the world. I suppose I’ll hear more news developments while the radio is on during my shop work today. And lots going on in the way of work…and survival. This week is the final stretch for this table and bench project. Little room for hiccups.

Becki is leaving in a few minutes. She’ll do her Bible Study thing in Woodburn, then check on her sister who spent the night at Silverton Hospital.

Blessings on you and your day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

FEAR is one of those intangible commodities that can be either good or bad—an asset or a liablity—positive or negative. It would be insane to play tag on the I-beams of an unfinished sky-scraper without any fear of falling. At the same time it would be unnecessary and debilitating to fear looking down from a secure window of a tall building—unless, of course, it’s simultaneous with a 9.9 earthquake. It would be important to fear recreational swimming in the Amazon at any time and place. But overcoming any fear of water by learning to swim in a safe setting is wisdom and offers good exercise. In the same way, having no fear of offending or opposing the One who made you (and can take you out) is about as foolish as it gets. But nurturing a respectful and honorable fear for Him is both wise and protective. I’m afraid (I’m judging this to be a good fear) that far too many people do not fear what they should, yet do fear what they shouldn’t. In my current view, nothing yields proper perspective and balances out the fear factor any more appropriately than to embrace simple Biblical truth, recognizing that God is GOD, and I’m but a man.

Consider a little boy who pumps himself up like a puffer fish with self-affirmation and says, “If I meet a bear in the woods, I will punch him in the nose and cut off his head!” Sure thing, little boy. Isn’t that cute! But what do we do with an educated adult who, in like manner, with a straight face, fearlessly says to me, “If I ever meet up with God, we’re going to sit down and have a talk. I’m going to tell Him a thing or two.” That’s not very cute. All things considered, that strikes me as nothing short of arrogant insanity!

David definitely inspires me. He helps me put things in balanced perspective—to fear, love, and worship my Maker all at the same time. Consider his words at the beginning of Psalm 8. (I look forward to hearing him sing it.) “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” A couple verses later he exclaims, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4).

While we should fear overstepping our humanity—we “are but men”—let us not fail to recognize our absolute dependence on Him at every point. And as we quest for a proper Biblical balance, here’s a thought worth pondering—one Becki read to me from a book she’s presently reading: “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience” (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin).

It’s important to maintain this balance. Idea: How about we make a point to sing, “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace” on a daily basis?