Last weekend began my favorite time of the year. Many love the Spring or the Fall because of the weather. Many others prefer Winter because it means that there will be presents under the tree. Still others are enamored by the Summer because of the swimming or other outdoor activities. My favorite time of year spans into three of those seasons, it's SQUIRREL SEASON! That's right, I love when August 15th rolls around and I can take my rifle into the woods only later to be making dumplings for dinner. This year is no exception. Last Saturday, while stalking a bushy tail, I walked through the biggest spider web I believe I've ever experienced. And I did what every sane person would do, I completely freaked!
Isn't that what we do when we walk through one of those 30 types of spiders' webs? The instant we feel the sticky line graze against our arm, or forehead in my case Saturday, our minds conjure up thoughts of a 6 foot wide Black Widow sitting on the tree beside us ready to pounce. But the fact is, like I've mentioned, the spiders that spin the big webs we often walk through aren't the dangerous kinds. That doesn't mean we don't get scared when we come in contact with them, however.
Often times we are terrified of danger when there really isn't any danger involved in our situation. And the same goes for service to God. We are petrified to talk to someone about Christ because we're worried that something harmful may come from the conversation, but the chances of that actually happening are about as much or less than us walking through the web of a Brown Recluse spider.
So, how do we get rid of these irrational fears of service? The same way we get rid of the irrational fear of spider webs, we walk straight through them without batting an eye and next time it will get easier! We simply trust in God's care and put that trust to work helping us overcome our fears.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
- Proverbs 3:5-6
So next time you feel scared to serve God in a way you KNOW you ought, just remember that the spider spinning that web of fear and delusion is not as venomous as you think. If anything, you might have to rush to The Doctor, God Almighty, for some help and encouragement after you get bit, but you'll survive just fine!