day 80 (week 12, day 3)
Published July 23rd, 2008 in relatedAsk for a sense of what Hell is like so fear may keep you from sin — if you forget the Lord’s love. What is Hell like?
Lord, I don’t deny that there is a Hell for you’ve said so in your word.
but…
I have a problem with visualizing Hell as fiction and popular culture over the ages have dictated. I get a sense that Hell is a separation from you. Quite frankly, there are some occurances here on Earth that would easily rival the imagined accounts of Hell. The things that people have done to other people and the longevity of suffering in some areas of the world are far worse than what I draw from the meditation of St. Ignatius. Help me to see and learn more of you and may fear not be the catalyst to my relationship with you. Amen.
I so agree that people never truly come to the Father out of fear, but Love only. For me, when i was growing up, you served God out of fear of hell, and thus I never served God in my heart.
It wasn’t until midway through my twenties when someone really told me about the love of God that I began to love and trust and serve Him.
I totally believe we have to love people into the kingdom, hate and judgment people see everywhere, its the love of God that separates us from the world.