Journal of Sacred Work

(Today’s  meditation is written by Cathy Self, Senior Vice President for the Baptist Healing Trust).

"Actions and words are the windows through which the heart is seen." – American Proverb.

     In the meditation for days 105-106 in this journal, Erie Chapman notes Zora Neale Hurston’s probable fear of anything that would constrict her ability to express her truth or to sing enough if only to satisfy herself. The conversations that emerged from that meditation turned to dealing with threats to our attempts to live Love. There is no question that this calling requires courage, and courage always involves risk – risk of rejection, intimidation, loss. Theologian Paul Tillich refers to genuine courage as  "the courage to be." What does it take to have the courage to be who we say we are and to do what we say we feel called to do?

     Tillich makes the case that true courage is the courage to be oneself. True courage, he says, is "the affirmation of one’s essential nature." He goes on to note that often we fear not just the dying but the living. Writer Gordon T. Smith suggests that courage begins with honesty about our fears. What we are not willing to confront and understand will ultimately control us, whether consciously or unconsciously. "When government officials operate out of fear, they shut down the opposition, or hide from criticism and accountability," suggests Smith who goes on with other examples. "When religious leaders live in fear, they claim power and control, rationalizing with noble ideas and what may appear to be legitimate reasons. Even parents may operate out of fear, becoming controllers and manipulators."

     When fear has taken hold, we tend to rationalize our actions in order to keep peace, or to avoid hurting others’ feelings, or out of what we call concern for the well-being of others. While these reasons may sound legitimate, honest reflection may reveal nothing more than rationalizations. Smith suggests this is being "motivated by fear." So I don’t speak truth to my supervisor, or I sit back in silence when conflict emerges because I need my job or I am afraid others will like me or respect me less. Or I am unable to say what I need to say in love to a family member for fear my thoughts (and my self) will be rejected or criticized. I may even hold back from doing my best out of fear of success because of the responsibilities that come as a result!

     But just knowing that I am fearful does not make me courageous, nor does it justify my actions. However, as Smith points out, that awareness is at least a start. From awareness and acknowledgement of fear we can then ask ourselves "is this fear legitimate or is this just rationalization for actions that may be less than noble?" In living Love, we must always ask ourselves the hard questions, especially the questions that lead us back to a decision to live in faith, hope, and Love.

     It takes courage to "move beyond convention, compliance, and imitation and truly be who we are called to be," asserts Smith. It takes courage to face pressure from supervisors, unhappy employees, critical co-workers, and even pressure from family members. When the world and its culture seduces with comfort, fame, and power, it takes courage to choose to live Love.

     Living Love calls us to encourage each other; together we can find our way into honesty about our fears and courage to risk. Together we can help each other find the way to say YES to living Love courageously.