I knew something was holding me back, keeping me from releasing my words out to the world. Then God put a finger on it: fear of man.
In her (awesome and funny) blog for writers, Kristen Lamb mentions an author whose book was rated a three-star rating by an Amazon reviewer because it was not Jimmy Dean sausages. Argh.
For writers, rejection and criticism are almost rites of passage. Perhaps they are in many endeavors, like starting a business as a woman in a war-torn, misogynistic country. But, sometimes critics are using the wrong measure. Or they simply don’t have the long view.
In the Lincoln museum in Springfield Illinois, there is a wall plastered with what John Piper* calls “vile opprobrium dumped on President Lincoln” in the press across the U.S. such as “Lincoln speeches consist of condensed lumps of imbecility, buffoonery, and vulgar malignity.”
Lincoln’s critics found plenty of targets for their criticism: his lack of formal education, his appearance, even his morality. But history has silenced them, rendered them—not him—ridiculous, short-sighted, and mean-spirited. Abraham Lincoln has emerged in our minds a hero, a clear-eyed man who loved justice and the healing of our land more than the praise of men. What if he hadn’t? What if he had crumbled under their criticism? I shudder to think of it.
As I was reading through the book of Ezekiel, I stumbled upon something I hadn’t seen before.
The words leapt off the page as if God were speaking directly to me.
Don’t be afraid [in dread of, in reverence of] of them or anything they say. You may think you’re in the middle of a thorn patch or a bunch of scorpions. But be brave and preach my message to them whether they choose to listen or not. (Ezekiel 2:6, CEV). The KJV includes this line after scorpions, “be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed [prostrate, break down, either by violence or confusion and fear, bear down, discourage, scare, terrify] at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.”
Don’t be afraid of them or anything they say.
Don’t be dismayed [terrified, broken down, confused, or discouraged] by the way that they look at you.
“I am the Lord, the one who encourages [comforts] you,
Why are you afraid of [revere] mere humans?
They dry up and die like grass.
I spread out the heavens and laid foundations for the earth.
But you have forgotten me, your Lord and Creator.
All day long you were afraid of [startled by, stand in awe of, shake] those who were angry [fury, rage, poison] and hoped to abuse [destroy, ruin, cast off, corrupt, spoil, waste] you.
Where are they now [where is the fury of the oppressor now] (Isaiah 51: 12-13).
Why are you afraid of [revere] mere humans?
They dry up and die like grass.
I spread out the heavens and laid foundations for the earth.
But you have forgotten me, your Lord and Creator.
All day long you were afraid of [startled by, stand in awe of, shake] those who were angry [fury, rage, poison] and hoped to abuse [destroy, ruin, cast off, corrupt, spoil, waste] you.
Where are they now [where is the fury of the oppressor now] (Isaiah 51: 12-13).
Whoa. Who do you think you are to fear man (who is like grass) when I who live eternally and made, not just the grass, but the earth and heavens, am for you? I am the one who encourages you, comforts you, and destroys your enemies.
Writers, preachers, advocates, and social entrepreneurs, fear is a natural reaction for almost anyone who is called to deliver a message from God to His people or to the world.
But to fear man over God is to revere man over God. And that is absurdity.
Our affections can be misplaced. So can our fear. Either is a kind of idol worship.
Ezekiel was called to a rebellious people God calls hard-hearted and hard-headed (Ezekiel 2). If we are called to deliver a message or live out a calling in the face of critics, or even rebels, we are in very good company. Ezekiel, Abraham Lincoln, even Jesus, are among them.God told Ezekiel to deliver the message “whether they choose to listen or not.”
That’s because God is merciful. He is not willing that any should perish. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
Our call to deliver a message is not canceled by the anticipated reaction of those we are called to deliver it to. That is God’s mercy to the hearer—they have the chance to hear and respond—and His grace to us. As His messengers, we have the chance to co-labor with God, making our lives count beyond our own lifetimes.
Take up your courage all you lovers of justice and World Changers. Raise your voices for the voiceless.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy, 1:7
* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/john-piper-sermons/id196050704#episodeGuid=desiringgod.org-resource-14154
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