Thus goes the line from verse 15 in the little book of Ephesians, chapter 4, in the early church writings.  What does this mean?  It means that we ought to be able to share our honest feelings and ideas without fear of reproach, anger, or separation.  Where does this anger and fear originate?  With our fear of God when identifying with our attachments to bodies and forms. 

In the book, A Course in Miracles, chapter 29, “The Awakening”, it discusses the idea of “closing the gap” that exists between people.  We have a tendency in our relationships, especially among loved ones and organizations such as religious, political or various civic ones, to avoid ideas and suggestions that might shock others.  We believe we are caught in a trap, or “boxes” as said today.  Yet if someone offers an idea of possible change and it makes us a bit uncomfortable, we shun away.  We do like people who “think outside of the box” as long as they aren’t in or messing with our box!

If there is a God, if there is a Spirit within us which connects us to all others, then “speaking the truth in love” ideally ought to be encouraged and welcomed.  All things are changing on this plane of matter and bodies, only God and Spirit remain changeless in love.  “Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face.” (1 Cor. 13:12)  So what we offer to one another ought to be in a quality of love that if rejected, accepted, modified or whatever, we fear not but trust in this abiding Presence.

In marriage and people relationships (especially politics), it is hard to practice this.  We offer our ideas expecting to be rejected, upset, and alone for a period of time “in the gap” until through trinkets of gift or humor or time the gap closes again, bodies can meet, and then part again into separate worlds.  This is the way “good marriages” and groups coexist.  In the “awakening,” we learn to trust that accepted or rejected, modified or kept, we abide as One now and forever.  If rejected, our feelings might be hurt, egos damaged a short time, but we quickly learn to recover and let it go.  “Who can separate us from the love of God?” (Rom. 8:39)

Today, let us move a bit closer to “closing the gap” with our family, neighbors, churches and teachers.  Offer acts of kindness and compassion with words of suggestion, honesty, and even disagreement.  God is not to be feared!  You will be taken care of.  Ideas come and go, but love, genuine love, remains forever. 

Namaste!