07/01/2012

3 ways… an explanation

I supposed, wrongly, that the answer to my last sentence in yesterday’s blog was obvious. I’m sorry. Apparently, it wasn’t. So, at the risk of provoking disagreement, let me try to explain.

Let me say it from the start: God is pleased by all three attitudes: obedience, compliance, and generous initiative. After all, He’s getting something from us, whichever way. However, think about it. Let’s use the analogy of parents and children.

Of course parents want their children to obey them. But it’s not just wanting. It’s expecting. For natural reasons, children sort of owe their parents obedience because they depend on them to survive — at least while they are very young. So it’s almost like they have no choice. It’s either they obey, or else… So obedience has an element of fear — fear of the consequences of disobeying.

It’s no different with God.

If anything, the fear and the consequences are greater, for (shall I dare say it?) obvious reasons.

Then we have those situations when children have a choice. A parent may want his child to do something, but will not command him to. He will ask him, and hope that the child will respond out of kindness or goodwill. “Son, please go upstairs and bring me my slippers.” The son may be watching his favorite TV show. He has a choice. He might say to his dad he can’t right now or just tell his sister to go and get it. Or he might go at once, considering pleasing his dad more important than watching a program he likes. It’s his choice.

It’s no different with God.

He asks for something. Maybe the person promptly responds. Or perhaps he chooses to say something like, “Lord I know You asked me to spread the Good News, but I’m very shy. Please send someone else.” “Lord, I know the Church needs help right now, but I’m really busy and plus You know that I’ve been saving for that new plasma TV I really want. But I’m sure someone else will give if I don’t.”

Then we have the third attitude, which I call “generous initiative”. It’s when we voluntarily give or do something for someone, even though the person never commanded or asked us to. It’s when the child, noticing how his mom takes care of the whole house, decides to go and wash the dishes for her or take the trash out. He initiates it (wasn’t told or asked to) and gives his mother a gift of kindness and regard. The mother is surprised and extremely pleased — not so much for the dishes or the trash, but for her child’s heart.

It’s no different with God.

That’s the kind of gift He gave us when He offered up His Son, by the way. Yes, God is that kind of giver. So it should be obvious which kind of giver He appreciates the most.

But maybe it’s not.