Don't Fear The Walk

I remember witnessing my first baptism about thirty-five years ago.  I was barely five years old. I have this vivid memory of a young teenage boy walking down the aisle at the end of Church service.  The minister, Brother Scott had just finished his sermon and offered the invitation.  The congregation sang in unison.  Granny, my cousins and I sat on the fourth bench from the front, the boy came from way in the back.  His walk seemed to take forever.  He reached the front and sat on the first bench.  The Minister and an Elder shook his hand.  He was handed a white card.  He sat trembling and appeared to be scribbling something on the paper.  Once the Church was finished singing the hymn, the Minister walked back up the three steps to the Pulpit. 

 

The baptism was quite ceremonial and there were many tears of joy throughout the congregation.  Years went by and I witnessed hundreds of people make that walk down the aisle for baptism or to make prayer requests, repent of sins, etc.  It took me a very long time to make that decision, because I was so fearful of that walk down the aisle.  How in the world could I walk in front of all those people?  I might collapse.

 

As I matured I realized it was not the walk down the aisle that I feared most.  I was afraid that I couldn't live up to the walk with Jesus and the judgment of others.

 

In 1998 at age 26 I won a local speaking competition and a bid to the Alabama Public Speaking Championships in Dothan.  I prepared a speech on the prevention of school violence.  I had always enjoyed public speaking, but had never competed until a few friends in the Glencoe Jaycees talked me into entering as a platform for my community service.  I was nervous during the competition, but polished my shoes, wore my lucky suit and delivered a great speech.  I was not surprised that I made it into the finals at state.  I planned on it.  The final round was fierce competition.  It was the best of the best.  Some of the finalists had been competing for years and while you could only win the Alabama title once, several had come close in years past and were giving it another shot.  It was my first time.  I delieverd another great speech in the final round and improptu round. 

 

The state banquet to announce the winners started at 7PM following the final day of competition.  About 15 of my colleagues and friends from the Jaycees attended the banquet.  We got there early in order to grab the best seats.  I asked them to choose the seats in the back.  If I placed in the top three, I would receive an award and I wanted to taste sweet victory for a long time.  I wanted a long walk to the podium.  I had worked hard.

 

The banquet began and several awards were given for community service, etc.  The final event was the announcement of the Alabama Amateur Public Speaking Champion for 1998.  A 2nd Runner-Up was announced followed by the 1st Runner-Up.  My heart sank, because I wanted one of those plaques and to walk that aisle with my head held high.  There was no fear in that walk.  I knew I could do it and I was driven a little by pride.  The announcer then spoke these words, "and now the winner and the person who will represent the great state of Alabama in December in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Glencoe Jaycees, Mr. Rob Goodwin!"  Cheers erupted around me and friends began hugging me and pushing me toward the aisle.  It was probably the second greatest moment of my life.

 

I realized that I enjoy being in a crowd and "making an entrance."  My nervousness when I walked the aisle at church was because I feared the walk  with Jesus.  My fear was not the judgment of the people at the moment of my confession, but the judgment of people for the rest of my life. 

 

Since I was five years old I have struggled with Bipolar Disorder.  Obviously in the 1970s we had no idea what to call it.  Along with the mood swings come a great deal of manic depressive episodes.  One of the factors that can cause an episode is failure or letting someone I care about down.  I have always put too much pressure on myself by placing extraordinary stock in what others think.  There is but one judge.  Jesus is the Judge and the Jury, and He will not be calling any expert witnesses. 

 

Sometimes I think we don't understand how much harm we do to others by judging them.  The Word talks about not becoming a stumbling block.  It is certainly our place as Chrsitians to help others up when they fall victim to sin.  This means we are sinners helping other sinners.  Everyone has sin.  Regardless of who you are, you will never live a sinless a life.  If you think it s necessary to go to the alter every time you commit a sin, you might as well live in the church building.  God exists everywhere.  He is always with us.  Forgiveness for sins is all about the personal relationship we have with our Father.  His grace is sufficient for all. 

 

I want you to truly concentrate on this next statement.  It's not the walk with Jesus we fear, it's how others perceive and judge our walk.  If you constantly point out the sins of others and "rank them," shame on you!  Wayne Dunaway, my current Minister and very close friends alwasy says, "you go to people with love in your heart, not contempt."  In my humble opinion we could all practice a little more tolerance without necessarily having to tolerate things we don't agree with. 

 

As a man who continues to struggle from time to time about being comfortable in my own skin, celebrating my victories and forgetting my defeats, I understand the obstacles we all face.  One of the most important scriptiures in the Bible is Philippians 2:12, "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."  This is a directive to us from God that we are responsible personally for our own relationship with Him.  It is not our place to determine whether another person is going to Heaven.  If you are spending your time doubting if someone else is righteous, you are mentally casting stones. 

 

For those who refuse to have a relationship with God or show allegiance to the Church, or even obey His commands because all they see is hypocrisy, you are allowing others to stand in the aisle and block you.  Man should never use another person as an excuse to hinder his own relationship with the Almighty.

 

Whatever your fear or hang up may be, it's up to you to work it out with your Savior.  Let no man dictate to you how it is to be done.  Seek the truth through study.   Utilize guidance from the people who love you unconditionally.  Do what is necessary to clear the aisle and take your walk.  Take your walk with Jesus and enjoy the life He meant for you.

 

Love to you all.