Have you reached the point in your life where you realize that you can’t make it on your own and need help? Do you also realize that I am the only one who can help you? Blessed are those who realize this. How do you think this works? Do you see it as me providing assistance for you or you consenting to me? There is a profound difference between these, for it determines which one of us is in charge of the process. If it isn’t within you to direct your own steps then no amount of assistance will help.

Are you familiar with the passage of scripture that says, ‘Don’t you know that it is the goodness of God that leads you to repentance?’ How can this be? Does this seem like reverse logic? Are you used to a message of wrath and judgment? You have encountered these motivations in other settings and they can produce compliance even if it is not heartfelt and not good for morale. Have you ever found it more highly motivating to want to please someone who loves you and has extended favor to you? In this case it is good for morale and joyful. Would you agree that love is stronger than fear?

Do you think that I am easily offended? You know people like this and you don’t enjoy their company, because you have to walk on eggshells around them. The story of the ten thousand talents implies that your offenses toward me are great relative to your offenses to your brother, but the point of that story is forgiveness. Contrast that with another story with fewer talents about servants who worked (or did not) while their master was away. The one who thought his master was harsh and unjust and acted accordingly did not fare well.

Have you heard the old joke about the man who went to the doctor and said, it hurts when I do this? The doctor said, don’t do this. That is one approach to dealing with pain. The more modern approach is to get a pain killer that will allow you to do the same activities that lead to pain without experiencing pain. So which approach is really better? Is there a spiritual parallel to this story? Have you ever experienced spiritual pain? You could think of this as isolation and alienation from your true self and from your destiny.