Apostleship of PrayerSpirituality
Operational images of God
Though each of us has [a] unique relationship with the Father, there can be shadows or blockages that stop us enjoying the depth of the relationship. For example, as well as the idea or image of God we have in our heads, there is also (maybe unknown to us) an 'operational image' of God in our hearts. Often this operational image can be flawed, and quite at variance with the idea of God we actually profess, thus shadowing our relationship with the Father. I call this image 'operational' because, no matter what we say, it is the image of God that we actually live out of, allow to operate in our lives.
There are three basic operational images of God. The first operational image runs like this: 'If I am good, he will love me; if I am bad, he will punish me'. In other words, we only have a relationship if we meet his expectations. How do I know whether this is my operational image of God? I look at my relationships with people - our relationship with God and our relationships with people are inseparable, because our relationship with God is reflected in our relationship with people, and vice-versa. So, I examine the quality of my relationships with people: Is there a great deal of fear and anxiety in them? Do I think I only have a good relationship with others when I meet their expectations or when they approve of me? Is my way of relating geared to pleasing others - peace at any price? If this is the tenor of my relationships with people, it is a reflection of my basic attitude to - my operational image of-God. And this is an extremely flawed image of God, one that fosters a life beset by fear and anxiety. Relationships flourish the more freedom there is in them; but freedom is corroded by fear and anxiety.
(to be continued)
Patrick O'Sullivan, SJ
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