Friday, August 26, 2011 - In Abba's Arms

     On a visit to the New Orleans Zoo one day, Tom and I were following the trail from exhibit to exhibit when we saw a group of people surrounding a bench where a zookeeper sat with a boa constrictor draped around her shoulders. We joined the group to listen while maintaining  a comfortable distance from the winding creature. 
     As the zookeeper informed us about  boas, a young mother with an 18 month old toddler sat on the bench next to the zookeeper and the snake.  Those of us observing from our safe positions glanced nervously at each other as eyebrows shot upwards in surprise.  We became even more uneasy as the toddler stuck her thumb in her mouth and turned away from the snake, never seeming to realize it loomed nearby. The mother and zookeeper talked intently about boa constrictors while never looking at the snake or the baby. We watched in horror as the snake wound toward the little girl's head.  We inhaled to scream at the careless mother when the toddler turned her head toward the snake, looked him square in the eyes, popped out her precious thumb and kissed that thing on the nose. In went the thumb again and everyone breathed a sigh of relief when the snake lost interest. 
     The mama had owned a boa before she had the baby and had not fear.  Consequently, neither was little girl. There's a picture of trust for you:  "If mama's not scared, then neither am I.  In her arms, I'm in good hands." We hand down so many fears and such a fragile faith from one generation to the next.  God recognizes our fears as a way to teach us to call out to Him and trust Him.  Fear is natural, but letting fear control us leads down paths we don't want to walk: discouragement, isolation, an inauthentic life, unhealthy relationships, loss of sleep, and on and on. When Adam and Eve were afraid, they hid. When Elijah was afraid, he wanted to die. Understandable choices, but not our only choices: When David was afraid, he called to the Lord and wrote a new song.  When Gideon was afraid to lead in battle, he asked for a sign of God's Presence and received it. When Hezekiah was afraid to die, he prayed and God gave him 15 additional years. When Joshua was afraid, God told him to be strong and courageous and to remember whose battle he was fighting.
   Let's take our thumbs out of our mouths, look what we fear square in the eyes, kiss it on the nose, and bring it down to size. As long as we're in God's arms, it can't do anything but loom.  

"The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; 

He will never leave you nor forsake you. 

Do not be afraid; do  not be discouraged." 

Deuteronomy 31:8

"In righteousness you will be established: 

Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. 

Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you." 

Isaiah 54:14

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD."
 Psalm 31:24 

"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

 Luke 12:32

Father, You hold us close to Your Heart and You'll strengthen and encourage us to handle every situation. Remind us to call to You instead of hiding, running, playing dead or freezing in place.  Teach us to see what we fear from Your point of view.  May we develop healthy respects for all experiences and dangers, but may fear have no foothold in our minds. We can't serve You while we're looking for safety outside Your arms. There's no such place.  Teach us to pray as our first response to danger.
In the Name of Jesus Who prayed, and prayed, and Who looked danger in the face and crucified fear
Inspired by Live Loved, by Max Lucado
clipart from Google images