There's a rather funny moment in the classic 1991 film, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. This is the movie where Kevin Costner plays Robin Hood and makes no attempt to speak with a British accent whatsoever. Everyone else around him speaks the Queen's English, but nobody seems to notice or mind that Robin talks like a Yankee. (To be fair, Christian Slater's "accent" isn't much better.)
In the film, the apparently American Robin is introduced to a crude magnifying lens, a sort of handmade telescope, by his Muslim friend played by Morgan Freeman. His first look through the lens at the attacking forces in the distance causes him to dramatically reach for his sword and prepare for attack as he interprets their larger image through the lens to indicate that they are right in front of him.
It's a funny moment, but also a telling illustration. The lens we choose to see the world with will dictate the identity we embrace, the actions that we take, and the truth that we understand.
MIRROR, MIRROR
Much like our physical sight, we all look at life spiritually through a sort of lens. The Bible likens it to a mirror in 1 Corinthians 13:12:
There is no limit to who this applies to. This applies to everyone this side of heaven. We don't see clearly. We can't fully understand. And if we're not careful, we will apply the wrong lens and warp the vision that GOD has for us.
Like Robin Hood, if we don't allow someone to slap the mis-applied lens of FEAR from our eyes, we will not see things clearly.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, ELIJAH?
This was certainly true of a whining Elijah, who was focused more on his persecution and loneliness than on the provision and power of the God he served. In 1 Kings 19:2 we see how Elijah loses hope:
This is not some weakling of the faith. This isn't some helpless creature to pity. This is Elijah. God's man with the plan. The one man standing against the plethora of false prophets.
Sharing this moment of Elijah's life reveals some very important truths regarding the role of fear and faith:
1. FEAR isn't limited to weaklings. Elijah was one of the most powerful prophets of the Old Testament. A real man of God. For Elijah to lose heart like this reveals that FEAR can warp the vision of any believer--and in an instant.
2. FEAR can cause us to amplify the problems in the foreground to something larger than God. For Elijah this was Jezebel. The man who humiliated the prophets of Baal and demonstrated the power of God just one chapter before with such magnificent FAITH swagger and confidence, was reduced to a quivering mess because Jezebel threatened him. In this bleak landscape, Elijah saw Jezebel as larger than his LORD.
3. FEAR does the opposite of what FAITH would do every time. In the previous chapter, Elijah was viewing the scene and acting out of a vision of FAITH. His confidence was not necessarily in himself or the natural world. His confidence was in the GOD who promises to be with us. In this chapter, however, Elijah is hiding and praying for death.
FEAR never leads you to a productive action or decision. It always weakens you.
It also leads to the dark side according to Yoda.
FEAR can lead to a lot of things--from depression and suicidal despair, to sickness, to immobility and spiritual, physical, and relational paralysis. Like Peter teetering on top of the surf, our vision of CHRIST must be our guide. Once we allow FEAR to distort the waves and wind into something more menacing than Christ is comforting, we lose the battle.
NEED VISION? STAND IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD
There's no simple answer to combating FEAR. It will creep up on you over and over again. It's not something that you can just vanquish forever like Robin Hood did to the Sheriff. There is HOPE though. In the midst of Elijah's despair, GOD stepped in in verse 11:
LIGHT casts out DARKNESS
LOVE casts out HATE
By spending time in the presence of GOD, we can renew our strength, right our vision, and restore our path in life. Read your Bible. Pray. Meet with fellow believers to discuss your situation. Let the LIGHT of the FATHER pierce the darkness around you so that you can see clearly. JESUS wants to set us free from the prison of FEAR. He wants more for you. FEAR always wants you to do the opposite of what you should do. Be BOLD. Walk in FAITH.
In the film, the apparently American Robin is introduced to a crude magnifying lens, a sort of handmade telescope, by his Muslim friend played by Morgan Freeman. His first look through the lens at the attacking forces in the distance causes him to dramatically reach for his sword and prepare for attack as he interprets their larger image through the lens to indicate that they are right in front of him.
It's a funny moment, but also a telling illustration. The lens we choose to see the world with will dictate the identity we embrace, the actions that we take, and the truth that we understand.
MIRROR, MIRROR
Much like our physical sight, we all look at life spiritually through a sort of lens. The Bible likens it to a mirror in 1 Corinthians 13:12:
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.This comes during a discourse of our finite ability to understand things. During the course of this chapter, we're described as "knowing or understanding in part" while comparing our current state to that of "thinking like a child" until the "completeness" comes and we can understand in full.
There is no limit to who this applies to. This applies to everyone this side of heaven. We don't see clearly. We can't fully understand. And if we're not careful, we will apply the wrong lens and warp the vision that GOD has for us.
Like Robin Hood, if we don't allow someone to slap the mis-applied lens of FEAR from our eyes, we will not see things clearly.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, ELIJAH?
This was certainly true of a whining Elijah, who was focused more on his persecution and loneliness than on the provision and power of the God he served. In 1 Kings 19:2 we see how Elijah loses hope:
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.Now, Elijah's despair occurs one chapter AFTER his triumphant smackdown with the prophets of Baal. You'd think dude would be strutting around and dabbing in the end zone.
This is not some weakling of the faith. This isn't some helpless creature to pity. This is Elijah. God's man with the plan. The one man standing against the plethora of false prophets.
Sharing this moment of Elijah's life reveals some very important truths regarding the role of fear and faith:
1. FEAR isn't limited to weaklings. Elijah was one of the most powerful prophets of the Old Testament. A real man of God. For Elijah to lose heart like this reveals that FEAR can warp the vision of any believer--and in an instant.
2. FEAR can cause us to amplify the problems in the foreground to something larger than God. For Elijah this was Jezebel. The man who humiliated the prophets of Baal and demonstrated the power of God just one chapter before with such magnificent FAITH swagger and confidence, was reduced to a quivering mess because Jezebel threatened him. In this bleak landscape, Elijah saw Jezebel as larger than his LORD.
FEAR never leads you to a productive action or decision. It always weakens you.
It also leads to the dark side according to Yoda.
FEAR can lead to a lot of things--from depression and suicidal despair, to sickness, to immobility and spiritual, physical, and relational paralysis. Like Peter teetering on top of the surf, our vision of CHRIST must be our guide. Once we allow FEAR to distort the waves and wind into something more menacing than Christ is comforting, we lose the battle.
NEED VISION? STAND IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD
There's no simple answer to combating FEAR. It will creep up on you over and over again. It's not something that you can just vanquish forever like Robin Hood did to the Sheriff. There is HOPE though. In the midst of Elijah's despair, GOD stepped in in verse 11:
The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”FAITH casts out FEAR.
LIGHT casts out DARKNESS
LOVE casts out HATE
By spending time in the presence of GOD, we can renew our strength, right our vision, and restore our path in life. Read your Bible. Pray. Meet with fellow believers to discuss your situation. Let the LIGHT of the FATHER pierce the darkness around you so that you can see clearly. JESUS wants to set us free from the prison of FEAR. He wants more for you. FEAR always wants you to do the opposite of what you should do. Be BOLD. Walk in FAITH.
