Don’t Be Too Afraid to Live - a podcast by David K Payne

Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place…

Matthew 25:24-15 The Message 

 Recently I found myself contemplating how much I enjoy living my life. I acknowledge that the freedom I enjoy now to live my life is a relatively new concept for me. Being raised in any social group exerts a series of expectations and societal norms that define and restrict life and, in many cases, restrain it. I agree that there are acceptable and unacceptable expressions of living associated with every societal setting. However, these societal standards can be a great hindrance to finding an authentic life. Words like rebellious, defiant, bold, insolent disrespectful, and the like are often used to describe those who dare live inconsistently with or outside of these standards.

 The challenge is that societal norms are directly correlated to the culture, and though there is most likely a universal standard for acceptable and unacceptable, that standard is difficult to define. The culture I grew up in was strongly influenced by religion. As with most religions, the leaders claimed a higher power as the source of their authority to set the standards for living. In Christianity, the claim is reinforced by the threat of hell and promise of heaven. Religious leaders claim if you adhere to the standards they set forth, you will avoid hell and gain heaven.  The threat of hell and promise of heaven is prevalent within Christianity. Oddly though, each of the thousands of factions within Christianity each has its own set of standards based on the same claim of authority. This blog is not about debating the realities of heaven or hell. The intent is to encourage you not to allow the threats of others to interfere with you living an authentic life as defined by your personal convictions and internal intuition. 

 I want to remind you that even the one Christians claim to follow was considered a rebel during his earthly life. In fact, each notable person in scripture has a story that would be defined as unique to itself and not conformed to societal norms and standards. Indeed, an honest look at scripture reveals that there is no predominant threat of eternal punishment for going against a cultural norm. And lest you claim that your view is the only correct view, I remind you that your view is but one of thousands of opinions about appropriate and inappropriate living.

If you are sincere about living a good life, there are two principles that you can use as a standard for your life. Love God with your whole being and love your neighbor as yourself.

 Following those two standards, I believe you will find an authentic life and avoid and inherit whatever eternal ramifications there are to how you live. Do not allow another person to so restrain you, either through fear of eternity or expulsion from your society, that they rob you from living your life.

 Abundant life is what Jesus brought the world in whole, and you as an individual.

 

Just Be

David

  

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