Truly, we are all seduced by the ego’s distorted ideologies, addiction to power, prestige and pleasure, fear mongering, and absolute insanity. Yet to a greater or lesser extent, we all live in and through our egos. You may be shocked when I tell you that there is an aspect of a Divine encounter that involves the ego, but the fact is that if you and I are going to encounter the Divine, our egos must be part of this encounter, at least initially. Otherwise we remain trapped in the ego’s self-created hell.
Let me explain. The Bible tells us, “God is light.” Another word for light is truth. In a divine encounter, therefore, the light of truth shines into the ego’s darkness, revealing the ego’s lies, games, and dark pleasures. This shadow work is never easy or painless; in fact, it is often accompanied with deep sorrow, anguish, and regret. What I am talking about here is not toxic shame, but rather a contrite heart that recognizes the ego’s march toward self-destruction and our need for grace. When we see the ego’s games because of God’s light, we are beginning to overcome its grip on our minds and hearts. What makes this process possible is that God’s light also reveals our true identity as children of God and our potential for a life grounded in truth, beauty, and goodness. Even greater, it reveals the Divine as nothing other than pure love; we are already entirely forgiven for everything, and God waits for us with open arms. The door to God’s heart is unlocked, the kitchen light is on, and dinner is in the oven. Meditate on Jesus’ inspired words:
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
