I posted this earlier today on social media (and received no responses…not surprising)

Any organization that uses fear as a primary motivator will not last. Fear only works until people are tired of being afraid. This applies to families, business, religion, and country. People want freedom, not fear.

In America, we brag about our freedoms while our politicians brandish fear cajoling us to hate the other side because they only want bad things for the country and for us. Meanwhile, they have affairs with staffers and sell their votes to the highest bidder or biggest voting bloc to keep their seat of power.

I worked for a bit of a tyrant in an accounting firm back in the day. He got his way by yelling and bullying and people worked hard, while miserable, to avoid his wrath.

I have a friend who’s dad took “spare the rod and spoil the child” to beat the hell out of the kid, emasculate him in front of others and keep him scared. (My friend ended up with a drinking problem and is dead now, way too early.)

I grew up in a conservative church background with a preacher who told us not to kiss a girl until our wedding day if we wanted to stay in the good graces of God and away from temptation. He said he did it and that was best. Later, he had an affair with a secretary or something.

The book of wisdom references fear of God. It also talks about love. So, explain to me why we are supposed to fear a God who created us in His image, calls us heirs, allows His son to die for us. Explain to me why we are supposed to fear a God who planted a tree that changed the world. Why is fear so prevalent from the pulpits and church classrooms?

Is God manic? Does he really love us? Did he really send Jesus to the cross to shed grace far and wide? Or, is He that father of my friend who uses his belt and his anger to keep us in check? Remember, He is the same God who planted the tree. Was He just setting us up to knock us down? There’s more unpacking to do there for another time.

Fear opposes freedom. What does God want for us?

Fear crushes openness. What does God want for us?

Fear stifles generosity. What does God want for us?

I’m tired of living in fear. I have found freedom and it is life changing. I do not fear God. I do not fear a place called hell. I do not fear eternal punishment. Why? I believe God gave us freedom. To make choices for ourselves. To embrace grace for ourselves. To make mistakes and suffer the consequences (a living hell) for ourselves.

I am convinced God wants us to live in freedom to choose Him, to choose authenticity, to choose generosity, to choose…GRACE and LOVE and MERCY and COMPASSION…for ourselves and then for others.

I am tired of fear. I am laying it down brick by brick and living in freedom step by step.