Fear and Trembling

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:12-13

Last week there was a cougar attack 100 yards from where I live.  It wasn't an attack on a human but a deer.  A couple days later the hunting team found not one but two cougers near the camp village property and shot killing them.  This got me a little nervous to go on any runs by myself but then I thought of the time I came across a bear in the Smoky Mountains all alone and I escaped that scary encounter reminding myself of the proverb that it's better to run into a bear and her cubs than a fool in his folly.  I think the same thing can be said of a cougar (although I'm not sure a bear bell works).  It's still a very scary thing to think about what you'd do if you encountered a wild animal yet do we have that same fear when we come across a fool, one who openly goes against our Christ Jesus?  What about when the Bible says we are to fear the Lord?  Is that the same kind of fear?  I do think there are different types of fear, one being the kind that you pee your pants you're so scared and another an awe or reverence like one is before a king or president of not wanting to mess up anything in-front of them (which I guess could make one poop their pants too).  The apostle Paul here is encouraging the Philippians to continue to preach Christ no matter what the circumstance and the world thinks and acts; to not be quiet about the good news of Jesus even if it's an awkward situation or makes someone uncomfortable.  I know I don't want to fear man more than I fear God whether judgement or honor.  I don't want to regret later when we're in the Kingdom that I could have displayed more faith.  There are some people it's easier to share the Lord with and others that are more challenging for me (one for sure is family which we see even Jesus' earthly family had a hard time believing Him during His ministry).  


(Above is a video of what I do at my work.)


In four days I'm off to Nicaragua for a short-term missions trip, back to the Vida Joven (Young Life) group I worked at the summer of 2005.  I'm leading a group of 8 of us and we'll be going to an orphange, serving and participant with Young Life clubs in the cities, and working at the YL camp in the mountains doing some construction and harvesting coffee (so get your orders in if you want me to bring you some home!).  I'm super excited to reconnect with many friendships I created seven years ago and see what God has in plan for not only the 8 of us but all the people we'll be around.  I get a high speaking in Spanish so I'm looking forward to translating for those in my group who do not speak the language, but also to experience the culture and way of life again that opens my heart and eyes to see God working in so many more ways than I can imagine.