As the hot air balloon rose, my heart dropped. The family gathered at one edge of the basket and marveled at the so-called “beautiful” sight, as they were enthralled by the city lights, the hilltops, and the skies. The hot air balloon kept elevating. I positioned my body so that no one could see that my eyes were closed shut. It’s strange; I never remembered eating a big boulder for lunch. It’s strange; I never remembered applying super glue to my hands, as they firmly grasped onto the sturdiest structure they could find and didn’t let go. I didn’t remember being a sprinkler either… because I was sweating bullets. “Do you have a fear of heights?” inquired my observant uncle. I puffed out my (then) thirteen-year-old chest and stammered a weak “no-no-nope.”
In the recent retreat, the speaker briefly talked about “being bound”. Why do we bind someone? The reason is simple: to restrict movement or to restrict potential. If we bind an artist’s hands, we will never see his vibrant creativity and talent on the canvas. If we bind an athlete’s legs, we will never witness his agility, speed, and quickness on the football field. If we bind a speaker’s mouth, we will never hear about the inspiration and ideas he could spit on the microphone.
We don’t really see the enemy physically bind our hands, legs, or mouth. However, we do see that the enemy tries to bind us with fear. Sometimes we experience these “hot air balloon situations” in our lives which leave us stagnant in fear. Ever been completely preoccupied in worrying about school? About work? About relationships? About the house? “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind” -2 Timothy 1:7.
Furthermore, there is no point in binding a weak person, because it would just be a waste of good rope! If someone is bound, one thing is for sure: there is potential in that person. Otherwise, there would be no reason to bind them! We read of such a man in Judges 6. It talks about a man who was fearfully threshing wheat in a winepress so that he can hide it from the powerful Midianites. However, we see that the Angel of the Lord comes to this timid man (Gideon) and surprisingly calls him a “mighty man of valor!” (Judges 6:12). Gideon was so fearful that he questioned, “Oh my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:15). Even when the Lord instructed Gideon to cut down the idols in the city, Gideon only did so at night because of the fear of man (Judges 6:27). In many instances we see that Gideon was bound with fear. However, in the following chapters we see that God had a plan for Gideon and transforms him. God strengthens Gideon, and uses him so mightily that Gideon is considered one of the greatest warriors in the Old Testament.
We often see that the media portrays a “fearless” man as a tall masculine figure, with bulky muscles, and extreme physical strength… (That’s cool and all, I guess…). However you and I are the children of the Most High God! If we trust in our Father, there will absolutely be no room for worldly fear. “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but we received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” -Romans 8:15. He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. God loves us, and His perfect love casts out fear! (1 John 4:18).
I would like to encourage my brothers and sisters to love one another and pray for one another. If any of us are fearful of the troubles of the world, pray that He would use us just as mightily as He used Gideon! I hope this encourages anyone who is starting a new season in their lives (including students who just started the new school year) to rest in Him!