(From the DA years)

There is no fear in love but perfect love drives out fear.  It is easy to fear things that have not occurred.  But that type of fear is paralyzing and impedes our capacity and effectiveness to love.  

Many times I fear God using me because I know that to be used, one must be broken.  But I realize that we do not look only to the cross for hope but to the empty tomb.  

It is true that the cross always precedes the crown.  It is not a selfish thing to want to be rewarded; it is rather a human need.  The difference is in what reward we seek.  If the treasures we seek are material or earthly, then I’m sure that’s not the way to go.  

But if we truly seek that what is considered to be treasures in heaven – love, security, peace, rest – we will not be disappointed.  

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, or mind ever conceived of the riches that God has set apart for us.  I must admit that the concept of those riches never appealed to me because I pictured precious metals or jewels.  

But I know now that those riches mean something else. Voices that speak lies originate in fear while those that speak truth originate in love. Realizing that one does not really matter in the earthly sense is freeing.  The world will go on without me, no matter how important I am in its eyes.  But this thought frees me to love.