No Fear

They ambled slowly across the defunct course, munching on turf previously hosted by cadies and golfers.
 

Elk are native to the area, so their presence wasn’t a surprise. But seeing them in the middle of Estes Park-a town near the vastly popular Rocky Mountain National Park, seemed odd.
 

My wife and I made our first trip west and were visiting friends in Colorado. We anxiously anticipated our visit to Estes Park, but viewing elk in the middle of town was unexpected.
 

We walked across the golf course, approaching on occasion to within twenty feet of these massive animals. They didn’t react with fear but continued to fill their bellies with rich grass periodically posing for us to snap photos. They were comfortable in their environment even though humans had invaded it.
 

Our relationship with God should be identical and was in the beginning. Adam and Eve walked and talked with God in the Garden. Succumbing to sin changed the scenario leading them to hide.
 

Fortunately we don’t have to remain in this state of fear that drives us to hide from God. John writes; There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1 John 4:18 NIV).
 

Fear can evidence the absence of a love relationship with God or that we misunderstand the one we have. Instead of walking near him, we hide by avoiding connection with things reminding us where we aren’t but should be. We pave our own roads, charting selfish courses. With no input from God, fear moves us in unhealthy directions.
 

Attempting to touch the elk would have elicited a different response. They may have run or charged. But familiarity-along with knowledge of their power, made the relationship work.
 

Our relationship with God shouldn’t be tenuous. Fear is absent because we’re connected with perfect love. Knowing our sins are forgiven in Christ and that we don’t exist under condemnation lets us approach him boldly, giving the freedom to serve him with a clear conscience. What is fear keeping you from?
 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, remove our fears so we we’ll walk where You want us to go. www.lovelinesfromgod.com