06/06/2023
“May you see your children’s children!” (Psalm 128:6, ESV). As I write these words, I am in Cambodia visiting my son Will, daughter-in-law Michaela, and grandson Karuna. What a joy it is to see my child’s child!
Believe it or not, as I traveled to Cambodia, I was nervous—not about the long flights or staying in airport hotels halfway around the world. I was nervous about seeing my grandson. Laura, my wife, is much better at this kind of thing. She has this innate ability to connect with babies, and she knows what to do. I, on the other hand, feel awkward and uncomfortable.
Did that nervous tension keep me from seeing my grandson? Not on your life.
When we know something is right, and we know the benefits far outweigh the fears, we “buck” up, take courage, and jump in with both feet. Sure enough, when I walked outside the Siem Reap airport and saw my grandson for the first time since he was a two-week-old baby, I was grinning ear to ear. He, on the other hand, took one look at me and started to cry.
So much for first impressions.
It didn’t take long for him to overcome his tepidity, and it didn’t take long for me to overcome my unfounded fears. (What if he doesn’t like me? What if we don’t connect? What if I’m not a very good grandpa?)
Much of life is like that. We fear the unknown, and in those moments of fear, the “what-ifs” loom large and the shadows grow dark. Nine times out of ten, though, what casts the shadows are surprisingly small compared to the shadows themselves.
I am often anxious when I have to preach, meet new people, or, in this instance, see my grandson whom I hadn’t seen in eight months. That may seem odd since I preach most Sundays and meet new people every week. But we all have our hidden fears, “what-ifs,” and disconcerting shadows.
As has often been said before, there is no way around matters like these, only through them. I got off the plane and saw my grandson. I get up to preach, even if I walk nervously on stage. I smile and shake people’s hands, even if my heart pounds a little faster than usual.
The benefits definitely outweigh the fears, and once we jump in with both feet, we find out the water isn’t so bad after all. In fact, it can be quite pleasant.
My encouragement to you this week is to trust in the One who is bigger than whatever shadows you see cast before you.
There are 365 references in the Bible to the phrase “fear not” or “do not be afraid,” one for every day of the year. What a great reminder to put our trust in God every day of the year, for He will never leave us nor forsake us. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled . . . and do not be afraid” (John 14:27, NIV).
I need to tell myself that every day, every Sunday when I get up to preach, every time I meet new people, and even when I get off a plane to see my grandson. You may need a daily reminder as well.
