The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom … (Proverbs 9:10) 

Recently, I shared a video on Facebook of a roller coaster in the Swiss Alps that is the largest mountain roller coaster in the world. The video is shot from the perspective of someone sitting in a seat on the coaster, and it takes you on a jaw-dropping, stomach wrenching ride down the mountain. 

I posted the video with a question about who would be willing to ride on it. The people who said “no way” far outnumbered the people (mostly young) who were ready to jump on board.

There’d be no way you would get me on that roller coaster. I nearly lost my stomach just watching the video. I have acrophobia, a fear of heights. Almost all of us fear something — snakes, tigers, mice, enclosed spaces, flying. If you have a phobia, you know how crippling fear can be. 

That may be why the Bible offers 366 verses that are variations on the phrase “Fear not!” One of my favorite scriptures is Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

But fear is also a useful response under certain circumstances. Fear can teach us to avoid dangers that would harm us. If we are faced with unavoidable danger, fear can send hormones coursing through our bodies that put wings on our feet, make us impervious to pain, and increase our strength to combat the threat.

Fear also has instructive value. Every child has to learn that hot stoves burn, large dogs may bite, and running into the road can get you killed. Fear can help keep us from harm, even if we are daredevils who learn how to confront our fear and the danger.

None of this answers the question, however, about why Proverbs instructs us that fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. God is not a danger to be avoided or confronted like a bear in the woods, a mugger on the streets, or a roller coaster in the Alps. God is our loving creator.

I think the answer to this puzzle lies in understanding that the word “fear” can also mean “awe.” It is the understanding that God is God, and we’re not. Created in God’s image, we humans have amazing creativity and intelligence. But we don’t hold a candle to God the creator. We can create a roller coaster than can zip down a mountain, but only God can create the mountain.

If we recognize that God is God, and we’re not, it might help us learn a little humility when it comes to dealing with one another. How often do we assume that we are infallibly correct, that we have all the facts straight, know the right answers, and can sit in judgment on other human beings? 

Stepping back and recognizing that we are not God might give us the wisdom to withhold judgment and condemnation. It might stay our hand before we post nasty comments, snide videos, baseless accusations and unsubstantiated gossip on Facebook or before we repeat rumors we’ve heard around the town square. 

God is God. We’re not. Call it fear. Call it awe. Recognizing how little we know might teach us how much we have to learn. And that’s the beginning of wisdom.

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Kathleen Rinear is associate pastor at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Monroe.