Most of us has felt fear at one time or another. There are all kinds of fear, but the one I mean is the kind that whispers "You'll just look foolish if you go the altar" , or "Don't clap your hands, no-one else is clapping! They'll stare at you". Sometimes I let fear interfere with me doing what I know I should or want to do. And the simple truth about fear of this sort is, it's pretty senseless and silly! And when I allow it to come between me and God's plan for me, then it surely has to be sinful. I can't help but think to myself about how, if I'm so reluctant to speak up or clap my hands or break tradition WITHIN the church walls where I am surrounded by Allies in Christ, then no wonder I'm often an ineffective and silent witness outside the church walls when I am surrounded by the world. I certainly don't think this fear is coming from God! I have felt God working on me on this issue in the last few weeks.

That's why I decided to sing a song alone in front of the church. Everyone knows that's scary! Sometimes at home I will sing to the Lord, it just seems like a joyous way to praise him. But I'd never volunteer to sing at church that way because I was just plain scared, and I'd say "I can't sing well enough". I was conveniently forgetting that I'd sing away at home to the Lord and never once consider that the Lord might be offended by my singing because of my inability to sing in perfect key. The simple truth is, if a terrible singer was to get up and sing songs of praise to the Lord in church, I wouldn't think anything bad of it at all if they were singing sincerely to the Lord. Singing to the Lord, edifying the church. Anyway, Fear stands in the way of so many things. With God's help, I shall attack it with the same fierceness that I try to attack any other sinful behavior that I find in my life. To End - I thank God for the many changes he has, and is, bringing about in my life. God Bless you all!

Steve Atwood