TWO EXTREMES

In his book "DANGEROUS WONDER" Mike Yaconelli tells a story that explains the title of this book.  He described when the disciples were rowing across a lake while Jesus slept in the boat.  A frightening storm surprised them and before they could prepare, their old and questionable boat was being slammed by ten-foot-swells, they were taking in water, and they were in danger of sinking.  

"You made storms!"  "Do something!"  

Jesus did do something. He said, "Be still!" And the storm stopped. The water was immediately as calm as glass.  It was eerily still. I have to believe the disciples were petrified.  I'll bet they didn't move for thirty minutes until, finally, one of them leaned over to the other and said, "Don't make Him mad."  I believe the disciples were more afraid after the storm was calmed than during it. The disciples experienced firsthand the dangerous wonder of being with Jesus.

Can we both Fear and still Trust God? In THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE  C. S. Lewis offers this dialog, 

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; "don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe?  ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”  

Philip Yancey in CHRISTIANITY TODAY said, "Christianity claims a unique place among the world's religions. Our faith tells of a God before whom the strongest saints took off their shoes, bowed down, fell on their faces, repented in dust and ashes. At the same time it tells of a God who came to Earth as a baby, who showed tender mercies to children and the weak, who taught us to call him "Abba," who loved and was loved. God inspires at once awe and love, fear and friendship. 

If you are not familiar with Philip Yancey, click HERE.

THE LION AND THE LAMB by Brennan Manning has been helpful to me. Brennan says, "God can at once be a roaring lion, pacing the globe and seeking you out; and simultaneously a tender lamb, there to comfort you in any time of need."

If you're not familiar with Brennan Manning, click HERE for a summary of his life.