The question was innocent and asked with a smile and twinkle in the eye; “what question are you most afraid of?” Fortunately, the table did not turn on me for a few minutes. In that time, I considered the question. What question could be asked that I would be afraid to answer? I was not sure how I would answer if asked. After a bit, I thought the question has be forgotten, only to be challenged.
“What question are you the most afraid to answer?”
Without thinking; “the question that when answered will cause me to lose a friendship.”
As I think of my whimsical answer, I realize that it was far more honest than I imagined. What if I was asked a question that ended a relationship with someone I valued? What about someone I loved? Is there a question that if answered impacted my relationship with Divinity?
Intellectually I understand that the premise of God is that Divinity knows all. Implicit in this premise is the reality that God knows my deepest secrets, darkest thoughts, and ugliest choices. As much as I know this in my mind, answering a question with brutal honesty could, I emotionally think, impact my relationship with Divinity and those I love.
Really?!
The answer full of doubts and fear. Yes.
The response to this fear that comes from deep within us is to experience the gift of unconditionally compassion and acceptance. It is the greatest gift we can give each other. It is an act of god that we can give to anyone at any time. The psalmist notes that God “remembered to love us, a bonus to his dear family, Israel – indefatigable love. The whole earth comes to attention. Look – God’s work of salvation!” (Psalm 98.3) The lingering thought in experiencing this is that we are invited to share our experience with others. I believe that if there anything central to who and what I am, it is this; a willingness to give to compassion and acceptance without hesitation to each and everyone on my journey.
