CONTEMPLATING THE DEPTH OF GOD’S LOVE
Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered who you are? [Not that your physical reflection could answer that question!] I think that many of us have pondered that question and if we haven’t, we need to. Our culture is so tied up with the specter of performance that we can be blind to deeper questions that relate to our identity. In our culture, performance equals value or so it seems. We can treat ourselves as a commodity in a world that assesses worth based on our performance or lack thereof. Performance based personal valuation falls well short of our personal dignity and is an affront to the love that God has for each of us.
We can’t, in our humanity, explore with any precision the depth of love that God has for each one of us. It is beyond our capability. We can however recognize that love and marvel at its intensity and its gratuitous character. WE ARE LOVED BY GOD WHETHER WE RECOGNIZE IT OR NOT. When we finally do recognize this truth, we begin to experience the freedom that God wants for each of us.
It’s not that our efforts expended in ministry are not important. Our emphasis, however, must be on the word “efforts” and not performance – on the process rather than on the result.
By virtue of our baptism, we became members of God’s family. We are beloved daughters and sons of the Father. [My “Dad” is the King of the universe]. In our ministry endeavors we operate out of this dynamic knowing that our Father is pleased with steps we take to be ambassadors for the Family of God.
As St. Paul instructs us in Romans 12:2 “Do not model your behavior on the contemporary world, but let the renewing of your minds transform you, so that you may discern for yourselves what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and mature”. All fruitful Kingdom ministry flows out of your identity as a beloved son/daughter of Abba Father and not out of performance. [It is not I who do ministry but God who works through me]. The Holy Spirit molds you to the pattern of Jesus [Romans 8:29] and to the transformation directed by the Holy Spirit [2 Corinthians 3:18].
When our identity is merged with Jesus, as it is by virtue of our Baptism, we will have intimacy with Jesus. I am, I have and I do:
I am a son/daughter of the Father;
I have everything that Jesus won on the cross;
Who I am and what I have moves me to do what Jesus directs me to do [if I am listening]. Jesus died so that I could have direct access to the Father. Jesús died for what we deserve so that we can receive what He deserves.
Let us marvel at our identity as we go about our ministry tasks and let us offer Hope to those who are enslaved by a performance mentality.
God Gracious 