SUN-SEEKERS

I was SO READY for spring this year, and was cheered by two gift bouquets of tulips. I put them together in one vase and placed them on a west-facing lamp table, spreading out the blooms in a circle. Later that afternoon, I was surprised to find they'd done some re-arranging of their own, all turning toward the sunshine coming through this window tracking the afternoon sun. I knew plants still in the soil sought the sun, but cut ones? The sight of those “head-turners” reminded me of comforting phrases in Psalm 34, especially these:

I sought the LORD and He delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. (vv. 4-5)

The word “radiant” especially caught my attention. Going through a season of loss and grief doesn't exactly make every day or hour a sun-shiny one. But God is teaching me to look up in faith to His love and sufficiency. And maybe to look out in faith to point those around me to the source of true joy and hope.

To be radiant, even when my days aren't all that sunny with happy connections and happenings.

Years ago, I received a number of notes and E-mails that were, well, grumpy and unappreciative. Yes, dumping on me. I knew enough of the sender's background to realize they wanted their own way instead of submitting to the Lord's discipline and better plan. Dealing with their negatives was a good exercise for me in asking whether similar behaviors were true of me. Yes, as David wrote in this psalm, to “seek the Lord.” To “look to Him.” And—in so doing, gain His perspective on fears and unmet expectations.

That last phrase of verse 5, “never covered with shame,” holds so much quiet power. In looking to the Sun of Righteousness, the shadows fade in the brilliance of His perfect love. There's another aspect to this psalm. The credits indicate David wrote it after a scary time (told in 1 Samuel 21), when he was running for his life away from mad King Saul. He was trying to hide amid some enemies—bad choice—especially since he turned up in the home territory of Goliath, the enemy giant he'd killed!

Do I still have fears, things that upset and scare me? Of course, I'm human. But I have a choice, like those crazy and lovely tulips, to seek the Light. To let the inner beauty God crafted as “me” to shine forth in the brief time I have to bloom for Him.

Sadly, my tulips wilted and had to be tossed after a few days. But I enjoyed the colors and reminders of spring's re-emergence. I reflected on the love shown me by those who gave me the tulips. And I realized God, in His grace, allowed this reminder to seek Him—the One bigger than fears or disappointments, and whose radiant Love is available to me, 24/7.

Fear 101

Does the prospect of speaking in public just about scare you spitless? You’re not alone. Researchers say public speaking is among the three greatest fears, right up there with fear of snakes and spiders. Often it’s #1 on the list.


Now, if that snake as a rattle on the end of its tail or a sways out of a clay pot as somebody toots a primitive flute—yes, I’d keep my distance. If the spider has a red hour-glass mark on the bottom of its big shiny black body, no thank you.

But speaking in public? After years of opportunities, it no longer is a discomfort zone for me. I’m not a golden orator, and I still deal with the nervous edge that leaves your armpits dripping like summer in the Amazon, and your mouth dry as Death Valley. But if I’m prepared and passionate about my material, and the audience isn’t hostile, turn on the mike. It’s an honor to share what God has put on my heart. The photo is me speaking to a MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) group—and we all survived!

I started thinking more about fears recently when reading a book by Pat Palau, wife of international evangelist Luis Palau. Titled What To Do When You’re Scared to Death, it came out of her diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. The book isn’t just about her illness, but about the whole issue of trusting God when life doesn’t go as you planned.

One thing that helped her in her cancer struggle was an understanding of what the Bible says about suffering. She distilled it to four points (pp. 96-97):
“*Tough times come to all.
“*There are several possible reasons why I am suffering.
“*It may be clear why I’m suffering, or it may never make sense.
“*My response is mine to display.”

Her response included honest prayer conversations with God, along with reading, meditating and memorizing scriptures. My favorite of those she shared is Psalm 34:4-5:
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
It’s true: there’s a radiance, a visage of hope, in the faces of those who’ve risen above their fears. Other points Palau made in overcoming fear: trust God for that day (in other words, don’t be a tomorrow-trouble-borrower); and determine to pray for, and help, others. Distilled another way, one antidote to fear is pulling attention off yourself and onto God’s Word and the needs of others.

“When fears wash over you,” she wrote, “find the trigger. Ask yourself, ‘Where did this come from?’” Instead of giving in to those fears, she added, “train your thoughts to take another route.”

One final perspective she offered applies to all of us. In eternity we won’t be asked about our awards, riches, or achievements. However, God will be interested in how we answer these: “What did you do with the gifts God gave to you? Did you bring anyone with you?” (p. 244).

And maybe that’s why public speaking doesn’t petrify me like it did during my college years in taking Speech 101. Through trials and a deepening love for the Word, God has given me a joy to share about Him. We don’t have to be smooth or perfect, but we need to be real, and willing to be His mouthpiece.