Today (July 14th) is Shark Awareness Day. The day’s purpose involves conservation, awareness of threats endangering sharks, and acknowledgment of the role they play in the ocean ecosystem. But Shark Day is also about fear.
Let’s be honest. Most people are at least a little afraid of sharks—at the very least at the idea of being in the water with these fearsome predators. And that’s not a bad place to start learning about them.
Fear is the beginning of wisdom.
It’s perfectly reasonable and healthy to respect a shark’s ability to eat you. However, there’s a difference between respect and terror. We can recognize that exaggerated portrayals like Jaws are far-fetched, while knowing better than to go feed fresh chum to a great white without knowing how to stay safe.
Proverbs 9:10 says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” We respect God because He is holy and righteous and all-powerful, and we are…not. There will be fear—or awe—as we learn and come to understand the nature of God, but for the Christian, there is no terror associated with it.
Perfect love casts out fear.
1 John 4:18 says “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” As Christians, we no longer need to fear judgement. The terror of being caught in sin is taken away by Jesus’ sacrifice. He has covered our sin and taken the penalty for it. Our obedience to Him comes from love instead of fear. And one day, we will be “made perfect in love.”
One day, there will be no more fear.
When Jesus comes a second time, He will make everything right. He will remove the causes of fear and pain and heartache. Look at this passage from Revelation 21:3:
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’”
Maybe someday we will be able to enjoy magnificent creatures like sharks without having to worry about becoming a snack!
—————————————————