Journey Starts Here

A traveler once began a journey unlike any he had taken before. The man, burdened by a sense of unease he couldn’t quite name, left the comfort of his home at dawn, stepping out into the cool morning mist. The chill of the air clung to his skin, and the scent of dew-drenched earth filled his nostrils. Birds chirped hesitantly in the dim light, as if unsure whether to herald the day. The road stretched before him, shrouded in uncertainty, its dirt path glistening faintly with the residue of a recent rain. This was no ordinary journey; it was one that would demand more than mere endurance or a map to follow. It was a journey of the soul.

At first, the man walked with confidence, the steady crunch of his boots on gravel giving him a rhythm to cling to. He leaned on his own understanding and the advice of travelers who had gone before, their tales swirling in his mind like a comforting refrain. Yet as the path twisted and turned, rising into steep hills that left his thighs burning and plunging into dark valleys where shadows seemed to stretch and whisper, his confidence waned. The weight on his heart grew heavier. He began to notice things he had ignored before: the brokenness in the world around him, the shadowy depths of his own heart, and a gnawing awareness that something—someone—was greater than he had ever dared to imagine.

One day, he came upon a rugged signpost that stood at a crossroads. Its lettering, though weathered and worn, could still be read: “The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom.” The wood creaked faintly in the breeze, and beneath it lay a trail—narrow, rocky, and climbing steeply into the distance. Unlike the broad and bustling road he had been traveling, this path seemed abandoned and forbidding. The air here was cooler, sharper, carrying with it the faint aroma of pine and damp stone. Yet, as the man stood there, staring at the sign, something stirred within him. For the first time, the seriousness of his sin and the holiness of God became real to him. His heart raced, and his palms dampened. He could no longer ignore the burden he carried or the gravity of his condition. It concerned him deeply.

In that moment, he realized he stood on sacred ground—the starting place of his true journey. This was “the fear of the Lord,” the awe-filled recognition of who God is and who he, a sinner, was in light of Him. It was a fear not of terror, but of reverence; not of despair, but of awakening. And it was the beginning of wisdom.

The man’s knees buckled under the weight of the realization. He fell to the ground, trembling, his burden now unbearable. The damp earth pressed against his hands and knees, grounding him in the reality of his condition. Yet, even as he knelt, he felt the first glimmers of hope. For the fear of the Lord was not an end but a beginning. He saw that this fear did not crush but convict, did not destroy but deliver. It was an invitation to leave behind his old path and step into the unknown, guided not by his own understanding but by the light of truth.

With trembling hands, he rose to his feet. The narrow path stretched before him, daunting yet beckoning. A distant sound of rushing water reached his ears, promising both challenge and refreshment. He had no clear idea of where it would lead, but he knew he could not remain where he was. The starting place of his journey was clear. And so, with the first spark of wisdom kindled in his heart, the man set his foot on the path, taking his first steps into a life renewed by the grace of God.

Reflection on the Journey

This story illustrates the regeneration of an individual sinner. When a person is ignorant of their violations against God’s holy character and will, they are prideful and arrogant sinners. In Proverbs, such a person is often referred to as a fool. This verse continues our exploration of “The Fear of the Lord” by revealing where it starts. When we learn that God is holy and we are not, we should begin to fear Him with the reverence He is due.

Often in life, our focus is drawn to what might seem more pressing, but this single fact is more important than all others: God is holy, and He deserves all glory, all praise, and all reverence. The broad way is the sinful way, but the narrow way is God’s way. To the unregenerate, the broad road might seem right—trusting emotions, following the crowd. Yet the broad road leads to eternal destruction. The narrow way, however, leads to the knowledge of the Holy One, which is understanding.

Every journey starts with a beginning, a place that sets the stage for the adventure to come. Think of great stories: Luke Skywalker starts his journey on the desert planet of Tatooine, Frodo Baggins begins his life in the peaceful Shire before setting out with the One Ring, and Odysseus’ epic odyssey begins after the fall of Troy. Similarly, Dorothy’s adventure in “The Wizard of Oz” begins in Kansas, where a simple farm becomes the launching point for her journey through Oz. Even Harry Potter’s story begins in the cupboard under the stairs before he learns he’s a wizard destined for greatness. Each of these characters’ starting points shapes their path, just as the fear of the Lord marks the beginning of wisdom in our spiritual journey.

When our minds begin to conform to the understanding of God’s holy and sovereign reign over this sinful, fallen world, we are starting to grasp “The Fear of the Lord.”

Reflective Questions

• Where are you on your spiritual journey? Have you reached the point of recognizing the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom?
• What burdens are you carrying that may be preventing you from stepping onto the narrow path?
• Can you think of a time when you experienced awe and reverence for God? How did it change your perspective?
• What steps can you take today to move closer to understanding and embracing God’s holiness?

Reflect on these questions as you consider your own journey and where it may lead.