Dear People Whom God Loves,
GOD IS LOVE– VI
Let us now look at how fear negatively impacts our spiritual journey of growing in love.
Let us suppose that we do good things—including religious good things—because we are afraid of going to hell. Then we are not doing them because they are good and loving but because we are afraid not to. The acts may be virtuous, but our inner disposition is not. We all go through this stage as children, but it is good not to get stuck there. Let us ask ourselves this question: If there were no God who punishes, would we act differently than we are acting now?
Suppose we grow to the point where we do things, not out of fear, but out of duty? That is a big forward step. It limps a little because it still is not coming from the deepest part of us that is compassion and love. It has a lot of “I am supposed to do this.” When there is the “I am supposed to” factor, we are more likely to feel resentment. I would guess that that feeling is a reminder to us that we are called to grow further.
When we are acting out of love and compassion, fear and duty are left behind. Our joy is in the good and joy we bring to someone. Our ego needs are way in the background. Though I have never enjoyed this, I think that this is what goes on with a mom or dad with their baby or tiny child.
We also move back and forth among these three states depending on the person or persons involved or the situation that we are in or what our own particular mood or condition might be.
It is also good to remember that we cannot be bullied or forced into this growth. We can only be loved into it. Also remember that we cannot shame, guilt, or force others into this growth. When we try to force others in this way, it is coming from some unrecognized darkness within us. Even when we need to be firm, there must also be a softness, empathy, and understanding. When we think that we are noble in our actions and these qualities are not present, something else is afoot and we are deceiving ourselves. I struggle with this too. It is one of the spiritual traps in our spiritual and “so human” journey. God is Love. We are all loved no matter who we are, what we have done, or where our journey has taken us. We can never run fast enough to escape this Love. Love is the greatest of all virtues as the Apostle Paul reminds us. I am so grateful for that.
Smile, God Loves You
Father Clay
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