Do You Deserve God’s Grace or Protection?
A colleague sent an e-mail discussing the recent shooting in Orlando where 30 people were killed and revealed that her niece worked at the company where it took place. Tragically, the young woman saw several people shot. My colleague wrote this in her e-mail: We are all grateful to THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY for protecting her today.
Her words reminded me of a class I took with Unity teacher Paul Tenaglia when I lived in New York City. After one of the students finished talking about a friend who was struggling with chaos, he said, “There but for the grace of God…” Most of us nodded in understanding.
Always willing to use any opportunity to share an insight, Paul jumped in immediately. “When you say that, you’re implying that your friend doesn’t have God’s grace.”
Although it wasn’t a phrase I used often, I had said it, and Paul’s words sliced through the arrogance that was comfortable with that concept. Who was I to credit God’s grace for protecting me and assuming that those who experienced negative circumstances or tragedy had no grace?
I’ve never used that expression since that day over twelve years ago, and have watched the negative reactions and resistance when I’ve pointed out the deeper meaning to others when they’ve made that statement.
My colleague’s words have a similar subtext. If the reason her niece is still alive is because she had God’s protection, doesn’t that imply that those who were killed did not? It may be a fine line, but it’s an important one. Not one of us is more entitled to or more easily given God’s grace or protection.
Using words like these as a way of trying to understand that which is not understandable is nothing but ego trying to insert intellect into the mystery that is God. And any attempt to use the human mind as a tool to understand the paradox that is Source leads only to frustration and confusion – neither of which ever lead to peace.
Learn more about how to “out your ego” with the new book, ego: A Primer