When the Bee Stings

While sitting at the (in)famous picnic table just now, I was visited by a single honeybee hard at work. I had to make the decision, when it began flying ever so near me, whether to get up and leave--fearing a possible sting--or to sit peacefully by and watch it work. I decided on the latter option.

As I watched, a thought occurred to me--why should I fear it stinging me at all? Why was that the first thought I had? Then, of course, I extrapolated my question and thoughts.

All too often, especially as good reformed Christians, we approach God out of particular, though wrong, avenues of experience. I often fear God's control over my life, or His judgment, or other of His activities which, like a bee, have brought pain at some past point. Realizing, however, that the bee's primary purpose is not stinging, but nectar collection, allowed me to critique my approach to God. Just as the bee's sting is not the purpose of the bee, neither is God's control or judgment His--the sting enables the bee's (here, in the abstract, collective sense) purpose to go forward despite opposition, so too with Yahweh.

If, in my thinking, I approach the bee as a stinging agent--I will be afraid and avoid him.
If, in my thinking, I approach God as a controlling/judging agent--I will be afraid and avoid Him.

If, however, in my thinking, I recognize that the bee is first and foremost a collector of nectar--I will happily allow him to go about his work and accept with no hatred his respected sting which at some point may be necessary.
If, however, in my thinking, I recognize that Yahweh is first and foremost a Covenantal God--I will happily allow Him to go about his work and accept with no hatred his respected control or judgment which at some point may be necessary.