Louise McEvoy, Women’s Ministry Coordinator

Proverbs 9:10-12
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 Through me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, it is to your benefit;
if you are cynical, you will bear it all alone.

Reflection:
In the movie Iron Man, Tony Stark says, “Is it better to be feared or respected? I say, is it too much to ask for both?” Hold that thought.

When my then 6-year-old got in line for her very first roller coaster ride, she was so excited. We were at Walt Disney World and waiting for The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. She had seen the YouTube video. We had talked about it for weeks. As we waited and got closer, I could see the fear start to physically manifest in her body posture and facial expression. The earlier excitement was gone. She was now very anxious. The dream became a reality. A scary reality. It also happened to me when I first heard the words, “It is cancer.” It happened to my husband Robert when his friend swerved the car off the road.

At first glance, many may think this is the type of fear Solomon was talking about. The “scared” fear that is fueled by an upcoming danger. But here it is more than that. The fear mentioned here is synonymous with respect. It is knowing your place in this universe. Where you are vs. where God is. More importantly, who God is vs. who you are. Knowing and remembering God as the Creator of everything and realizing where you and I fit in the grand scheme can be a daunting thought. Yet, it can be comforting to know that God also cares about little ‘ole us. Sure, I fear my God who, with his Word, separated light and dark, who brought a great flood, who can bring the dead back to life, who allowed for foreign oppression after repeated disobedience — just to name a few things that increase my blood pressure but leaves me in awe. The One who can perform all the above can do ANYTHING and knows EVERYTHING, including the skeletons in my closet, my feelings of inadequacy, and my fears. That is what is comforting—to know that He knows us. In verse 12, Solomon points out that it will be to our benefit. Respecting and acknowledging the awesomeness of God is the beginning of wisdom and insight. It is a very good start.

I leave you with this—How do you start each day? Are you fearing Our Lord? This is our invitation over and over again. 

Prayer:
Almighty God, you have known us from the beginning. As we ride our daily roller coasters of life, equip us to recognize you in all that we do. Help us to start each day, each challenge, each adventure by praising you first. Remind us to invite you into our lives and show you the respect you so greatly deserve. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.