Why do we fear God’s love so much?

It’s so easy for us to point out the sins of our brothers and sisters, so effortless to gossip about this one’s failings, that group’s lifestyle, another one’s fall from grace. So uncomplicated to express our self-righteous opinions on a red cup, a God-given right (when it’s my right, not yours), or the plight of refugees.

Why is it so difficult for us to accept God’s unconditional love? To really understand why His grace is called amazing? To accept Jesus invites everyone to the table, even those we’d rather not eat beside?

Because it makes us vulnerable. Because it may bring us to our knees. Because maybe we’ll discover God’s will is not our will. Because it may overflow the empty parts of our hearts with so much love the only choice left to us will be to give it away. Because maybe, just maybe, we’re afraid we’ll become diaphanous, like a dandelion blown away in the wind.

Here’s the thing about dandelions. Because of the way God created them, they’re strong. Useful. Ubiquitous. When they go to seed, they are naturally designed to create other dandelions. The wind takes those seeds and carries them to faraway places – places they wouldn’t otherwise be able to travel on their own.

“The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8).