I had the privilege of being a part of the professional speaking circuit for over 35 years, being a “full-timer” from 2000 to 2020. During those years, I traveled and made speaking presentations in all 50 of these United States. It was a wonderful and fulfilling experience to work with speaker’s bureaus, and meeting planners; and speaking before a wide variety of audiences.
My first experience in front of an “audience” came in my 17th year when a crusty, old Sunday School teacher named Reece Enoch suggested I teach his adult class. Teaching the Bible became my “calling.” You might say I have been “at it” for 55 years now.
hat teaching experience and my work on the professional speaking platform has landed me in many a church. Over the years I have filled in for preachers, performed wedding ceremonies, and delivered eulogies at funerals. Sometimes the weight of responsibility has been overwhelming.
I have never attended a denominational seminary or taken a seminary course. I would stop well short of saying I have been self-taught. I have been schooled, but that is a subject, both deep and strong, which should be saved for another day.
Somewhere along the way I was introduced to the concept of “the whole council of God.” You’ve heard the saying, “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing?” So, it is with the Bible.
I have come to know there are “silver threads” that run throughout the scriptures from Genesis to the Book of Revelation. Among those silver threads are God’s Grace, Faith, and His patience and longsuffering toward humankind to name a few.
But one which rings out; and is especially fitting for these times is the command to “fear not!”
My friend, Dr. Ben Bissell, psychologist and educator, explained in one of his seminars the difference between “fear” and “anxiety” or “being afraid” or “anxious.” He gives this example.
If on a hike on a trail in the Great Smokey Mountains you met another hiker who informed you he saw a big bear back up the trail, then, you might become “anxious.” You might, or might not, ever see the bear, but the possibility of seeing a bear creates anxiety. Anxiety is driven by possibility.
On the other hand, if you continue your hike, and encounter that big bear, now you have a reason to be afraid. Fear has a definite source.
At the beginning of World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt sought to calm a nation by saying, “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.” That sounded good, but it simply wasn’t true.
When the 12 spies were sent to spy out the land of promise, they did a thorough job of evaluating, and brought back an accurate assessment. But the majority brought back “an evil report,” speaking of giants and a land which would devour the people. And the hearts of the people “melted.” (with fear.) Of course, we know the rest of the story. Undealt with fear paralyzes.
And the word came to Joshua, “Be strong and of a good courage, be not afraid, neither be dismayed….”
Remember the man who received only one talent? Do you know why he buried it? He said, “I was afraid.”
Mark Twain once said, “I’m an old man, and I have seen a lot of trouble - most of which never happened.
Someone once said, “Never take inventory of your fears.”
Jesus said, “Be anxious for nothing…”
I had great respect for the late Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. He once quoted a line from a book titled Fear, by Boswell Kane.
It goes like this: “Be bold, and mighty powers will come to your aid!”
I believe that to be true.
Copyright 2023 by Jack McCall
