I’d like to share some insights from two of our current Text students on this week’s reading, Ch. 13, III. The Fear of Redemption.
At first when I was reading this I thought to myself I am not afraid of love but then I thought I am still believing my safety lies in attack. Although I have modified my physical behavior my mind at times can be filled with judgment and attack.
So I am trying to change my mind about where my safety lays. It only lies in God. I must remember that when I attack my body reacts and I feels pain, achiness and my mood changes from outgoing to moody and irritated and I am just not a happy person. I don’t feel at one with people.
I am starting to have less tolerance for my ego states and I am quickly responding with going to my confidant the Holy Spirit.
It is a slow process from relinquishing my fear but I am giving it to the Holy Spirit as quickly as I can. I am grateful for this change occurring.
~Linda R.
The Chapter, “Fear of Redemption”, is another section that describes in a different way, what we need to do to experience the Presence of Love in our lives. It explains what we do to block the love of God, and our love for God, thus creating suffering in our lives. It begins with a blockbuster statement: “You may wonder why it is so crucial that you look upon your hatred and realize its full extent.” And continues swiftly on to: “In honesty, is it not harder for you to say ‘I love’ than ‘I hate’?”
Jesus is suggesting to us that if it is easier to say ‘I hate’ than ‘I love’ then we are hiding from being loved by God. This hiding shows up as our present refusal to extend love and forgiveness to the Sonship. The work here is not around those areas of your life in which love does flow easily. The inner work here is done when we consider our feelings in areas of our life in which love does not flow easily. For that is where our resistance to love resides.
Are you ironing someone’s shirts for them, or for them to recognize “how wonderful and generous you are?” Are you volunteering at your local food pantry to be truly helpful or to win a favor?” Be very willing to excavate where we are “giving” to “get”.
So another way of rooting out our thoughts of separation from God, or our fear of redemption, is to be willing to give up being recognized as special, on any level, in any form.
“You are not really afraid of crucifixion. Your real terror is of redemption.”
When it is obvious that we are actively having dark thoughts about someone or some situation, ask yourself, what am I afraid of here? If I stop cursing the “bad driver” on the road, what would happen? How naked do you feel if you are kind and patient just for the sake of being kind and patient? Vulnerable?
What might happen if you stop disliking your co-worker, just because, for no reason at all, other than recognizing they too, are a child of God?
Jesus tells us that these behaviors and thoughts are the veil of separation from God, and Jesus suggests we are keeping it in place, not God, and not the Holy Spirit. We are responsible for the veil.
“Under the ego’s dark foundation is the memory of God, and it is of this that you are really afraid.”
When you recognize the presence of this veil in your psyche, consider turning it over to the Holy Spirit, and know that swift love will arrive to take its place, and your life will become easier and more peaceful. You will have taken a step toward God. And Jesus tells us, that any gesture in alignment with him will be increased by him, so your small effort in giving up any hatred, will be increased by the Holy Spirit through Jesus.
“For still deeper than the ego’s foundation, and much stronger than it will ever be, is your intense and burning love of God, and His for you.”
And isn’t that what we truly want? Peace and love?
~ Lisa A.
Rev. Gayle Bartlett led our Tuesday radio show this week and she and I shared on this reading. To listen to the recording, go to: http://www.spreaker.com/user/miraclesone/fear-of-redemption-6-10-14
Feel free to share your insights, make comments or ask a question either on our Google Email Group or our Facebook Group.
Namaste,
Rev. Deb Phelps, Senior Minister
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