People are often harder on themselves than one imagines a merciful and loving God might ever be. I have experienced oh-so-many instances where a person will look at their mistakes so harshly that years after they have faltered they still hold themselves accountable.
This is like looking through a telescope from the wrong end – it places God at a greater distance from you than God is.
Better to think this through. Does it seem plausible that God does not expect the imperfect human being He intentionally created to falter, err, do some typically human things? Would a God who gave his Son to us to live with us, suffer, die and be resurrected discount us for a mistake, for being a human being (all be it not at our best)? Does it seem that the One who is Love itself would ration love so harshly?
No. Simply stated: No.
We are no surprise to God. God is closer to us than we are to ourselves.
We need not spend our time in self-imposed exile. Indeed, we are never far from God. Rather we are always close to God. If you think about it and are alert, you will find God in the things you do that bring happiness to you and others, in things that give you joy and mimic God’s love and laughter.
Forget the exile. To think that way is to think as a human being does when you can think as God might think, act as God might act, love as God might love, live as God would like you to live – in happy relationship with Him and others.
Go easy on yourself.
4 comments
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January 30, 2013 at 5:41 pm
Christine Bens
Thanks for your post. I needed to read this today.
January 30, 2013 at 6:58 pm
Robert Sylvester
Christine,
I have found over years of law practice and living, and in pastoral and spiritual care that the very nicest people are hardest on themselves.
Once we know that God loves us unconditionally – it does not encourage laxness and mischief … On the contrary it has this effect: people are so thankful to be grounded in so certain a love that they want to do their best for He who loves us so. The urge to err is reduced !!!
God bless,
B.
January 31, 2013 at 6:59 am
Erin Pascal
Thank you for calming my soul. This is just what I needed. These days, I feel really exhausted and very stressed out because of work and family. These things keep me really busy to the point where I totally forgot about God and the fact that He is with me and guiding me every step of the way. I know that a better relationship with God will lead to better relationships with others so I will live as God would want me to live the life He has given me.
January 31, 2013 at 8:09 am
Robert Sylvester
Erin – great email for identifying a very significant problem in contemporary secular culture. The problem? We are totally acculturated to the (unexamined) predispositions of secular existence. We are called into things the culture demands and to good things we know are our faithful responsibility – like raising a family, working to support a family, education and such. We are simply too occupied – we lose ourselves – we lose track of what is inside and what is above and beyond. It is no surprise that chronic fatigue syndrome and addictions are so common.
Take time in quiet, alone with silence – God will appear readily … with God is the living water that refreshes and gives you joy.
God bless and best wishes,
B.