The colorful banner hung at the entrance of the gym where all could easily view it.
“Fear The Poet”
Next to the logo was a caricature of a fierce pirate. Undoubtedly, this was a Poet-Pirate, reminding me of the familiar proverb, “The pen is mightier than the sword!” It was an appropriate mascot for this prestigious liberal arts college, known for its excellent education and athletic prowess.
Every school and athletic team, regardless of level, has a mascot. Many are familiar to the general public such as the Trojans, the Vikings, and the Panthers. Others are more obscure such as mosquitos, anteaters, and wasps. Nearly every animal and object has been utilized. Ostensibly, a mascot represents the qualities of the school or team for which it represents or choses to project. Some do evoke fear but at its core is the objective to inspire respect from others.
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NASB)
This verse appears at the end of the Book of Ecclesiastes. The author of this book, whom many consider to be King Solomon, the wisest man of his day, exhaustively chronicled all of the successes he accomplished in his life. He observed that man may attempt to inspire fear and elicit respect from others by worldly accomplishments. However, in the end, whether it was scientific, literary, or material successes, none of these mattered if one did not first fear and obey God. The Hebrew word for fear may be translated as reverence or to be held in awe or astonishment. This truth is reinforced in another verse from the Bible.
The LORD is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me?
Psalms 118:6 (NASB)
Don’t fear the mascot.
Fear God!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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