A great conversation this week with a friend who is running a VBS that I will help with – a conversation about the fear of God – respectful fear – awesome fear – and yet fearful fear…  Well, I said about my sense with God and the fear of God – is that I fear God if I don’t use my SKILLS that He gave me for His Purposes first and foremost and then I fit the rest of “my” work into the day. I fear the Lord, in the sense that if I fall and fail to be the one that people (in a good way) look to – He won’t look as good – or Christians won’t look so faithful. But I even fear if I forget that when I do fail, that Jesus has me in the saved and forgiven category… 

Jesus saves, we use skills, and life continues…

A skill I know I have is to speak to people one by one and then in big crowds as if I am speaking to individuals – it is a personality trait as well as life training. And another skill I have is to “wing it”. And another skill I have is to write (seriously wonder how to use it best). And another skill is no skill at all – it is to smile.

A skill I don’t always use – that I should – is to keep my mouth shut and let it roll off my back. And a skill and learned experience – I also should use more – is to speak up and set things straight. And the crucial skill for us all – to make amends when we can. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.

Well, what are your skills? Where has the Lord led you to show witness to His Ways through you?

I’m still working on mine – aren’t we all! I will wing the rest of this life on the skills I have – yet the best “SKILL” for each of us is to hold onto the Lord and watch Him plan our days.

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Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (from Proverbs 16)

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In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (from Proverbs 16)

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Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. (from Proverbs 14)

Amen

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excerpts from Proverbs 14 NIV

The wise woman builds her house,
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,
    but the lips of the wise protect them.

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
    but the folly of fools is deception.

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
    and the good rewarded for theirs.

The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,
    but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
    and for their children it will be a refuge.

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    turning a person from the snares of death.

A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.

Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.