By Robert
Why do I speak kindly with my wife and show her patience? Is it just because it is the right thing to do? Maybe it’s because I don’t want to look like someone who is curt or angry. Maybe I fear God will be angry with me if I don’t. These types of responses all represent one level of obedience, actually a level where many of us live.
Empathy is higher.
A second level is a place where love compels us, not fear. We could say that this is “really” living. When we live and obey at this level, we have moved from a semi-depersonalized existence into agape. But to do this requires a developed personhood where I have value for my own thoughts and feelings first. I need to be in a place of feeling comfortable in my own skin, embracing and rejoicing in who God has made me to be—where issues of shame that have made me feel like an object have been resolved, and I’m walking in the dignity of being God’s child, fearfully and wonderfully made. It is then that I can express that to others.
Empathy: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner.
About robert
Thank you Robert for this very timely article for Shawn and I. Praise the Lord for his love for us and for bringing you into out lives so that we may be shown this love, His love. Best of all so that we may grow in our soul and in our spirit becoming His love to each other and others.
We love you both very much!
Shawn and Sonia
Precious reality, Robert, and very well framed!! It’s so important to discern where our bonding with others is based on fear instead of love. So often teaching comes across as commands instead of empowerment. Jesus empowers us to live in love. Thank you for this reflection!!