We were on a safari in Kenya after speaking at a conference in Nairobi. Our host had lived many years in Kenya and as photographer had a lot of experience in being around wild animals. And we were surrounded with them now: graceful giraffes, busy baboons, speedy gazells and curios zebras. No lions yet, but just then we came upon a rhino, a really big one. He was sleeping, so my fried drove his safari truck a little closer, then closer. The rhino stirred; closer, and it got up on its feet, swaying a bit. It looked like it weighed about 3 tons. A little closer, and the rhino was obviously trying to figure out what this noisy creature approaching him was.
“Look,” I said to my friend,” that huge rhino is on my side of the truck. If he charges us, that big horn is going to come right through my door, so I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t get any closer!”
“Oh, I just was to get close enough for a good picture,” he said, winking.
“Maybe so,’ I replied, “but I’d prefer you use your telescopic lens!”
“Hmmm,” he said, inching closer and closer.
At that point I got angry and let him know it! “Ok, ok,” he said, “we’ll back off!”
Why was I angry? Because my security was threatened. I knew where I was going when I die, but I didn’t particularly want to go out stuck on the end of a rhino’s horn! But my friend was wise and diffused the situation by backing off. No conflict.
That may be a somewhat extreme situation, but anytime someone steals our security, there is great potential for a conflict. Unless we combat our fear with faith.
I remember being wheeled into emergency surgery for a double by-pass. “This,” I said to myself, “is a win-win situation. If I die, I’ll be with the Lord, if I live, I will stay with my wife and kids!” Total peace, not a twinge of worry.
Psalm 23, what I call the all-purpose Psalm, gives us lots of truth to combat fear, to find security in the right place.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” No need to fear lacking what we really need.
“He leads me in path of righteousness.” When I need direction, no need to fear, He will guide. “
Your rod and staff, they comfort me.” The shepherd used his rod to beat off the prowling beasts, and with his staff he guided the sheep.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” With the shepherd there, the sheep can graze peacefully even though there may be a lion, a bear or a wolf skulking in the shadows.
The sheep know they are safe in the presence of the shepherd.
This is all true for all of us followers of Jesus. As we trust in the Shepherd, we can counter the fears that arise from situations and people, from institutions and authorities. They may want to control us with fear, but our God is far greater than any of these and we can fully trust in Him. So, choose to find your security in the right place and you can avoid a lot of conflict.
Picture: my “friend” trying to decide what to do with me:
