A Reflection On Fear

A Reflection On Fear
By Lisa Birch
This week's topic: The Fear Of The Lord


I interviewed cross country runner and humanitarian Jonathon Prince, who just wrapped up his third trek across America — a 2,927-mile journey from Santa Monica, Calif., to Washington, D.C.


We had a long conversation about many things, but I won’t forget his answer to the question of what motivates him to give to charity in this way, besides the fact that he loves to run. Prince talked about focusing more on the invisible and less on the visible. Then we talked about eternity. He said it this way, “We are dead longer than we are alive.”

No doubt, Prince has had lots of time to think about eternity while spending day after day, month after month soaking up God’s creation as he goes from coast to coast, on foot. If there isn’t any other motivation in this life to help us fear or revere the Lord, thoughts about the depths of eternity should do it.

I think we all get it that our days are numbered, and that the span of our earthly life is only a quick blink compared to the time that exists after we check out of here. But make it more real and personal…

None of us knows our exact departure, but just say you live to age 90. Try adding up the years or days you have left. It may or may not seem like you have a long way to go, but the truth is, you don’t. Because whatever that number is, it’s definite — and brief — when sized up against an indefinite eternity.

When I make the final transition, I don’t want to look back and discover that I’ve wasted too much energy and effort on things that are insignificant to God. I want to see that I’ve invested heavily in things that are important to Him. Invisible, eternal things like serving, loving and giving.

If my life is a direct reflection of my reverence for the Lord and my revelation of eternity, what does that image look like?

Scripture Of The Day: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13


Publisher of Vertical Fix online magazine, Lisa Birch has a passion for music with integrity. Along with her husband Chris, Lisa is the co-founder of Vertical Fix internet radio. A 15-year writer and editor, Lisa has contributed writings for corporate, creative, editorial and ministerial environments. For more on Lisa, log onto http://www.verticalfix.com.