“There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear…” – 1
John 4:18
How many of us
grew up with the image of God as a disciplinarian? Perhaps growing up in a
strict household, or ominous stories in the Old Testament, or our
misinterpretation of languages such as “God-fearing” have shaped our
perceptions. I grew up with the idea that life was one big test, not unlike a
school exam: as long as I got more right answers / do good works than wrong
answers / sin, I would pass and be admitted to heaven. So I developed a fear of
the inevitable punishment from falling short. Even worse, I was at a time
exasperated with the existential examination to the point of not wanting to
participate any longer. My impression of God was molded by fear and
frustration.
As with any of
our image of God, our ideas and perceptions of Him constrain and place
boundaries on the indescribable love and goodness He actually is. St. John
writes, “God is love.” Can we possibly fathom the fullness of that statement?
If we reflect on the one person in our life who we experience the purest love
from and how we are fearless around him/her, fearless to the point of
forgetfulness of ourselves, forgetful to whether we are saying the right
things, doing what is pleasing, and appearing in the best light so that we are
unabashedly our truest self…how much more so when we live to the fullest
realization we are God’s beloved – that His love cast out our fears such that
we can live fearless, unmasked, and authentic lives?
Lord, open my heart to receive your love and dispel my fears so
that I may live courageously as my truest self.
Reflected by
Michael Jamnongjit
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