What are we all scared of?

What are we all scared of?

New Heights Men at New Heights Church Message from: Alex Hedgepeth Hey Men, I just read an email about how a famous hymn got written. A man was supposed to leave Chicago and go perform at a revival in St. Louis. His wife was in bed with the birth of their first child close at hand. He said he didn't want to go but a lot of people were expecting him. So he headed out. A few miles down the road, he remembers his music case back at home so he goes back and has another internal struggle, really feeling deep down he shouldn't leave. He does anyway and the next night, after the crowd begged him to sing more and more, he sits down and receives a telegram from Western Union stating that his wife and infant son had died. The email goes on to talk about how he wrote a great hymn out of his grief. How God was there to sustain him in his dark time. It also points out that he knew that God was there to tell him to stay home with his wife. And that is what really ticks me off about this story. He walked out on what God was telling him in his heart to do and not do, and his family suffers for it.  I love the fact that God was with this guy before and after his disobedience (sorry, there's just not another word for it) but the fact remains, this guy let the crowd's possible reaction get in the way of what God wanted him to do for his family. It's called fear of man. Fear of what others will think of you. Jesus talks about this in John 12, talking about religious leaders who believed Jesus, but would not go public because of their fear of losing their "position". Fear of Man, fear of others, of public opinion. The list of really great things this has kept us from doing is probably the longest list in the world.   This might be the biggest difference in the sin management camp and the follow Jesus camp. Sin management uses pressure to conform. Jesus says, follow me. Over to where life is worth living. I love the times in scripture where God is a still small voice, because to hear that voice, you can't be listening to something louder. To get out of step with the crowd like this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u3_tPo2y7k it's got to be one of the most freeing experiences God has for us.   Fear is not an easy foe to conquer, but it can be done. One road to get there starts Tuesday morning at 6am at the student center and winds around to the first weekend in march. It's a great journey, and the best part is that it never ends. Let me know if you haven't already if you want to be a part of this.   In Christ Alex