The Greatest Fears...

Matthew 14:6-10 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. Some of the most monumental decisions we make in life are those which have raised some sort of fear in our hearts. The question becomes: "Who and what do we fear most?" And with that: "What will I do with that fear?" Herod feared many things: public opinion, the nagging of his mistress, how to make everybody happy. But let us not forget the context of this story: because of these actions made in fear, Herod later refused to check out the stories about Jesus, writing them off as John coming back to haunt him - an action, or lack of action, based of guilt-driven fear. What have you allowed your fears to convince you to do, or not do, in response to God's calling? Who do you fear most? Do you have a healthy fear of God? What do you fear most? What people think? A lack of possessions? A loss of opportunity? How have those fears driven you to wise or bad decisions?