FUD

No, just one "d." Two "d's" would make it Fudd, as in the last name of one of the greatest men to ever be a Cartoon, Elmer Fudd. Elmer would absolutely dismantle Mr. Magoo in an MMA cage match, so don't even let your mind wander down that path. Speaking of wandering, I digress...

FUD. Or better, F.U.D. This is for Fear, Uncertainty, & Doubt. I don't think it's politically correct to say this anymore because basically, it's not "nice," but I still believe that fear is one of the greatest motivators ever. I see this every day. People make so many decisions based on their fear, uncertainty, or doubt. You dispute? Check the economy. If you really wanna see someone go absolutely ballistic, just put them in an environment where things change outside of their control. Whoa! Nobody likes to have stuff happen to them, they want to control stuff that happens. And when stuff happens that they can't control, it spawns FUD. And that makes people do all sorts of not-good things.

Here's the amusing thing to me: In reality, we really can't control much of anything that really matters. Yes, I can decide to put one sugar or two in my coffee (OK, Splenda...), but as far as stuff around me in the world goes, I'm helpless. I exist in a world and environment that I have to trust others. Driving 75 mph in one lane while another vehicle approaches me at 75 mph is truthfully a horrifying idea, especially since the only thing that separates us is a yellow stripe of paint. I have no way to control the other car, so I have to trust the other driver. I should hate this! But the system works (mostly), so we go along with it. And this is in a fallen world system that is clearly controlled by our adversary! (2 Cor. 4:4).

So, what about church? Isn't this supposed to be an environment created & ordained by God to do His will in this world? The most common command in all of Scripture is, "do not fear." So, shouldn't church be a place & a system where we trust one another? If I can drive 75 mph "out there" then I should certainly be able to do that "in here" without worrying about someone crazily coming across the line and handing me a head-on. But Church FUD is a grease fire and nothing spreads faster. Church should be the place where we delight in not having to have our way or to be in control. That's redemptive. Let's redeem. Psalm 49:5 Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me?