Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday September 19, 2007

I recently gave my son a set of leather bound books that I bought and read years ago and which I have read again over the years. One, "Mornings On Horseback" by David McCollough tells the tale of a child who was terrified of going to church.

The boy's mother finally had the child sit on her knee and tell her just what it was about going to church that terrified him so. He said he was afraid of the "zeal." He was sure it lurked in the shadows of the church ready to leap out and eat him. He said he wasn't sure just what a zeal was, but felt pretty sure that it was a lot like a dragon or alligator. His mother, a wise woman and a student of the Bible, took the concordance off the shelf and began to read aloud each verse in the scripture that contained the word, "zeal." She soon came to John 2:17 and read while stifling a chuckle:

"The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."

A contributing factor in the fearlessness as an adult demonstrated by Theodore Roosevelt was this Bible lesson from his mother. Most of the things we fear are really merely a misunderstanding of something that is harmless or possible but not probable. I know many grown men and women who fear another "monster" mentioned in the Bible, as I have witnessed them turn white with fear when the word "Tithe" is mentioned in a sermon or lesson!! Scary to be sure.

The paralyzing nature of fear was brought home to me several days ago when I counseled a girl who has been going through it for quite a while, at least for someone so young. In her misguided attempt to go it alone and cope with real problems in life, she resorted to seeking solace from Old John Barley Corn. Within a few days she had two DUI's. One long night spent in an actual jail. The poor child trembled at the thought of spending six months in that hellish place. We prayed after a long talk and formulated a plan which she has put into action to gain the victory in Christ. I think she will do fine in the future. I am thankful they let her out soon. A little time in a county jail, just a short time mind you has helped more than one person to feel enough heat to see the light.

I am glad she did not have to stay longer for as most of you know we humans are made of pretty tough stuff and even in the most horrible of circumstances, we adjust, and thing we trembled at a little while ago, become normal and the fear factor is lost. Some law enforcement agencies around the country take advantage of this reality and use what is called "Shock Therapy" or a "Scared Straight" program to help young people who break the law get their act together. Such a program would not work on a person who has already been in a jail for a longer period of time.

Of course you cannot live in fear, nor can you walk a straight line for long if fear is the only motivator. You must have a positive reason, and in my counseling I always point out that Jesus is the most positive motivator in the entire universe. He not only makes the difference, He IS the difference.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit

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