Cape Fear

Cape Fear

 

Psalm 27:1, 4-9

God is light and salvation 

 

27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

 

27:4 One thing I asked of the LORD; this I seek: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

 

27:5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.

 

27:6 Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

 

27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!

 

27:8 "Come," my heart says, "seek his face!" Your face, LORD, do I seek.

 

27:9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off; do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!

 

And yes, “Cape Fear” is a 1991 psychological thriller movie, a remake of a 1962 film, but this time, directed by famous director, Martin Scorsese. And no, I’ve not seen it, partly because this genre of film is not of interest to me, but ratings such as “Rotten Tomatoes” says it’s a pretty good film. I just borrowed the title, because I like THAT, and since we’re talking a bit about fear today, it seemed appropriate. 

 

Have you ever taken some time to think about fear? WHY do we fear? WHAT do we fear? And WHY? I actually have, and here are a few of my musings about it:

 

·      Fear is an emotion, and a powerful one, at that. When we are afraid, our whole body may react, in one way, or another. Blood pressure jumps, heart rate increases, and we may even shake or quiver, if the fear is extreme enough.

 

·      We often fear something we are about to experience or undergo, if we have never done it before. I’ve had a few medical procedures, and even minor surgeries, that caused me to fear—something we often dub, “fear of the unknown.” As a “customer” of UPMC medical facilities, I know that they require me to watch videos that explain a given procedure or test, with the theory that knowledge may remove some of my anxiety about it. While I find the information quite interesting, it usually tends to raise my anxiety level, mostly because (I’m sure due to liability issues) they have to be starkly honest and descriptive of both the process I will undergo AND the possible risks. I suppose when one hears what bad things might happen, then this becomes “fear of the KNOWN?”

 

·      Fear can be paralyzing. While I can’t honestly say I’ve ever been in this state, I have witnessed persons who have. Some literally freeze, when confronted by a fear, while others may freeze up psychologically, unable to answer simple questions, or make a decision in the moment. This is a good reason to have some friend or counsel to help you get through a potentially fearful task or experience, and it doesn’t hurt to have a plan, or even a “menu” of plans, depending on the outcome. These preparations may provide not just practical options, but also may serve to lessen the level of fear.

 

·      Fear may provoke primordial responses in us, if enough adrenalin us released. I know I’ve told this story before, but it is appropriate here, so here it is again. In the summer after my seventh grade year in school, I was offered a large, early morning newspaper delivery route from a friend whose family spent the whole Summer at a distant camp they owned, so he would sublet his paper route. Given I was trying to raise money to buy a significant new camera, I took him up on the offer. In order to learn the route, I was on my way to my friend’s house at 3:30AM, walking the eight blocks the morning after a huge, late-Spring storm. The wind was still howling, and the electric power was still off from the storm, meaning the streetlights were out. It was already a spooky walk, given these factors, when, all of a sudden, I heard a growling, snarling animal. Alarmed, I looked between two houses I was passing, and running toward me was a German Shepherd with white teeth showing as it gnashed them and growled all the louder. In that moment, I discovered my response to the “fight or flight” syndrome, as it is called. (Some people, prompted by their “primordial” programing will turn and run, while others will stay and face the danger.) Turns out, I’m a fighter, or maybe really stupid, but I literally started running AT the dog, waving my arms and growling and screaming deep, guttural noises back at it. I’m still alive because the dog, apparently alarmed, too, stopped dead in its tracks, looked puzzled for a moment, and then turned and ran back between the houses. I continued on to my friend’s house, accompanied only by the loudest beating of my heart I have ever heard. I will never forget THAT moment of sudden fear that provoked a kind of “caveman” response in me, one that alerted me to the fact that, in the face of serious danger, I will probably attack, rather than retreat. 

 

·      Fear obviously has its importance and some value in the human corpus of emotions and emotional responses. Some fears—especially the irrational ones—can be treated and conditioned out of us, or at least managed. Fear is a useful tool of the body and mind, though, when being manifested normally. Fear may not only protect us from harm, but may nudge us back from making a bad decision or push us to keep our important relationships healthy. Fear may also lead us to seek and trust our “higher power,” which is where today’s Psalm takes us.

 

The language of fear is found all around us. I have a friend who is a graduate of the University of Maryland, and he is fond of saying “Fear the Turtle!” (the terrapin is their team mascot). One of my favorite exchanges from the best of the Star Wars films (“The Empire Strikes Back”) is between Luke and Yoda while in “Jedi” training with the old, green master:

 

Luke: “I’m not afraid”

 

Yoda: “You will be…you WILL be!”

 

Several years ago, Dr. Leonard Sweet was the daily Bible study speaker at our Western PA Annual Conference when we were still meeting at Grove City College. Sweet talked one morning about “fear,” stating how many times the phrase “fear not” is in the Bible (lots), on the lips of prophets, warriors, angels, and even Jesus. Sweet put a modern twist on it by slightly altering the phrase to match one that was popular at that time, and that could be found emblazoned on sneakers, garments, and even sporting goods: “NO Fear!” His suggestion brought new life to the Bible texts he reread with “NO Fear” replacing the King Jimmy-styled, “Fear NOT.”

What do I fear? Certainly an illness or medical issue that significantly affects my life, would be one thing. Something bad happening to my wife, Dara, who is my best friend, lover, and true life companion. Since I’m retired, I might fear running out of resources before I croak. I DO fear my beloved country crumbling right before my eyes, and right now, that is not a pipe-nightmare. How about you? Have you thought much about it?

 

What don’t I fear? My own mortality, for one. I’m not afraid of death, both because I believe in the scriptural promises of that “one more surprise,” but also because I have been blessed with a great life, a loving family, two wonderful grandchildren, and I got to see and experience a LOT of stuff! I’m therefore not afraid of that proverbial “other shoe dropping.” I don’t fear not being loved enough, nor do I worry excessively about my children, as they have become wonderful, responsible people. My pride in them far outweighs any fear about their safety.

 

[Let me drop in a personal note here, FYI. I post a lot of “reports” on Facebook of what Dara and I are up to, the interesting things we like to cook for meals, about our myriad hobbies and interests, and photos of our rather extensive travel activities. I don’t do it to boast. Part of my interest in doing so is the “journalist” in me, a career for which I was originally trained before answering a call to ministry. Facebook has become my “newspaper” where I can chronicle what I hope are interesting things for others to see and read. But the REAL reason I do this is to ENCOURAGE my retired or retiring colleagues to DO something interesting with these important years! Don’t let too much moss grow on your North side, friends! Jesus promised an abundant life, and I’ve found that the best way to have an abundant life is to HAVE an abundant life! The old Nike ads used to say, “Just DO it!” I echo this, and through these postings, I hope to prompt others to widen their interests, temper their fears, and get out and experience life, the universe, and everything!]

 

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” There it is in a scriptural nutshell, Dear Ones! “Dwelling in the house of the Lord” is not an allusion to heaven or the afterlife. It’s about NOW! Today! Right where you are! Even if you are facing some serious challenges—actually, ESPECIALLY if you are facing serious challenges—God IS your light and salvation. God HEARS, God ANSWERS, God does not hide God’s FACE from you when you call out, cry out, sing out, or even THINK out in God’s direction. God IS a “mighty fortress.” God IS our stronghold. God IS our rock and foundation—as Tillich said, our “ground of being.” 

 

"Come," my heart says, "seek God’s face!" Your face, LORD, do I seek. This is what we read in verse 8 of Psalm 27. What does YOUR heart say? There is no time like the present to get in touch with what your “heart” is telling you, and to pattern your life after more than just a well thought out plan, your genetics, or someone else’s expectations—unless that someone else is the Holy Spirit! Fear happens when we miss the messages of our heart and the Spirit. Only WE can choose whether we will live with “NO fear,” only healthy, normal fear that motivates positive change or moves us to safety, or whether we will move onto Cape Fear. Today, Beloved, let your “light and salvation” be the Lord your God! Amen.