Theology from Jimmy Buffett? A Word on Fear.

Well, now I know why my wife is always worried of what I may say or write. This blog post only shows that her concern was warranted. But it dawned upon me today that one line from a Jimmy Buffett song has some merit scripturally. No, it's not the line about high school girls being fickle, although that is true, nor is it the statement about mortal sin being good for the soul, which isn't true. In the song Miss You So Badly he croons, "things were better off than I had feared." Now I am not suggesting that you immerse yourself into Buffett's music or become a parrothead, but I was a big fan in a former day. And just to show the power of music I can still remember almost every word to most of his songs, which is not necessarily a good thing. But I digress.

There is much drama in the organized church; it is a world of politics that has to rival D.C. Pastors are usually intimately involved or at least find themselves right in the middle of the storm. If they aren't in the middle then they can be sure that the collateral damage from the storm's periphery will impact them. During those times when the winds are howling pastors have to be careful to not try to calm the wind themselves. The vortex of the storm can easily suck someone in. The church where I serve is not different than most and has its stormy moments, and I don't want to really discuss the nature of our storms because I don't want to get sucked into the vortex and, as Buffett would say in his famous song Volcano, land in New York City, Mexico, Tennessee, 3 Mile Island, Comanche Sky Park, San Juan airport, San Diego, Buzzard's Bay, Yukon territory, or on the Ayatollah.

What's the point? The point is that we are commanded as God's people by the Lord Jesus "do not worry." The Apostle Paul commands us in Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." In other words, things are better off than we fear because God is in control. Furthermore, we are not even supposed to worry about it all anyway. The next verse offers us great comfort; it states that the "peace of God will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." If I could only practice taking it all to God first instead of worrying my pretty little head about it I would find peace in Christ! So things are better off than we fear, but we don't live as if they are or as if God is in control.

Now, I know that fear and worry and being anxious are not necessarily synonymous; there is a healthy, reverential fear that should be part of life. I fear coiled up snakes, for instance, because they can cause me harm. We should all fear God in the sense that we reverence Him and recognize His might and authority, but this post isn't about that kind of fear. This post is about the fear of which Jimmy Buffett speaks; it's that "what if" fear. It's the fear of what might happen or what might be; it is the fear of circumstances and the fear of how someone might respond or act or might be thinking. It is really a fear that is best described as "worry" or being "anxious." That type of fear has no place in any Christian's life. Yes, Jimmy, things are better off than I had feared, and I shouldn't have been full of fear anyway. I should have been giving it all over to God in the first place.

Holidays, Spending, and Lean Times

I love Christmas and the holiday season, but there are aspects of this time of year that drive me insane as well. Family traditions are so important and so much fun. I am surprised sometimes to hear my high school and college aged children share with their friends some of the things that we do as a family, little things that I didn't know even crossed their minds. It might be the process of how we get our Christmas tree, the holiday movies we watch, or the way we decorate, but these habits mean a lot to them. As something we share together it must give them a sense of some stability, normalcy, and pride. I could go on and on about our traditions, but I really do appreciate this time of year because of the unity and fellowship it brings to my immediate family.

However, I cannot stand the commercialization of the holiday season. I watch the ads where people are giving away luxury automobiles and expensive jewelry and wonder if anyone actually does that kind of thing. I am sure there are families who splurge like that; it's just than mine isn't one of them. I guess I would enjoy being able to do that kind of thing but would like to think I wouldn't spend like that even if I could. Maybe I am just jealous or covetous of those who have all that disposable income or endless credit. If one more car shows up in a commercial wrapped in a bow I am going to throw something at my nice TV that I can't afford to replace.

While an attitude and mindset like mine can lead one down a path of depression and resentment my hope is that it will actually have the opposite effect. God's Word tells us in James 1 that every good gift comes from God above; my hope is that during times that are tighter we will contemplate and focus upon "every good gift" instead of the commercialized excess we may not enjoy. And if we do have the means to spend lavishly I hope that we will properly view the source of that which we enjoy. There is an interesting verse in the Old Testament that helps us understand the meaning of "every good gift." It is found in Deuteronomy 8:18-19, "but remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth. . . If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods. . . you will surely be destroyed." Whatever ability or intelligence that we possess is a gift from God; the ability to earn a living is a gift from God. Actually, every breath is a gift from God. My hope is that I will recognize and praise God for His many gifts instead of getting upset that I will probably never be featured on a jewelry or car commercial. I would encourage all of us in this way; let's focus on the precious gifts like simple family traditions or the ability we have to even punch a clock. But what about holiday spending?

I recently had the privilege of speaking one on one with the directors of three local homeless shelters in the Hampton Roads area where I live. They are on the front lines of helping provide food, shelter and dignity for so many families in this tough economy and are doing a fine job helping so many. The next time you are frustrated because you can't hide that expensive jewelry box in an inconspicuous place for a holiday surprise or wrap a bow around a new car for your lover think about the many gifts you have and determine to help out those who truly are in need. Don't allow yourself to be sucked in by the commercialization of the holiday season.