Have you seen stupid human tricks on the internet? I mean stupid stunts which are almost always attempted by boys, or by men who never learned to stop being boys. They get a crazy idea, and no sooner than you can say “hold my beer,” they are blowing up gopher holes or riding bicycles or skateboards down staircases and handrails or jumping off buildings into wading pools.
Every time I see one of these stunts, even when they pull it off perfectly, I can’t help thinking about how likely it is to result in serious injury – not just pain and embarrassment, but life-changing devastating injury. They may be too stupid to think ahead, but all the fun of the stunt is lost on me because I am afraid for them. Thank God.
Have you ever wondered what that verse in Amazing Grace means: “’twas grace that taught my heart to fear…”? If you get a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach watching stupid people tricks on the internet, then you already have a good idea.
Grace is God’s loving intention toward us that doesn’t depend on anything we have done. We don’t have to ask for grace or even be aware of it. It’s like the crush I had on Mary Beth in 4th grade. My crush on her didn’t depend on her feelings towards me. She was my heart’s desire. Whether she knew I existed or not wasn’t going to change me. That’s how God’s loving care is for us.
That loving care – that grace – teaches our hearts to fear, according to the hymn.
Sometimes fear is a gift. Fear that prevents you back-flipping off a garage is a valuable gift that can save your life.
Grace has taught me to fear losing the sense of the mystery of life.
Grace has taught me to fear the coldness of heart that comes when I stop listening for God’s voice.
Grace has taught me to fear doing things that cannot be undone; saying things that cannot be unsaid, things that are unforgettable which break apart relationships.
Grace has taught me to fear what I can be when I’m left to my own devices and desires.
Grace has taught me to fear the void my life would become without a relationship with God.
Prayer: Loving God, in grace you send fear that stops us in our tracks, by grace relieve our fears with the assurance of your unfailing love. Amen.