I am, Ground of Being and the Courage to Be : A Dangerous Proposition

Last updated on: January 13, 2014 at 11:40 pm by Jeff Hood

I am, Ground of Being and the Courage to Be : A Dangerous Proposition 2014-01-13T23:40:30-06:00 Jeff Hood

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

being

The dying can really teach the living the power of being. Then again, I guess we are all dying whether we grasp it or not. Perhaps in this moment of time, we might all be better served if we were dying. For in the realization that we are dying, we gain an ability to truly live. This is a sermon about pushing past fear to a space of being.

The great theologian Paul Tillich spoke of gaining the courage to be. In a world that encourages a normalization that creates masses of posers and imposters, actually being you or having the courage to be is a very countercultural and dangerous act. But being is of utmost importance to the spiritual journey. Tillich often speaks of having the courage to pursue the God that is beyond God. I think the journey to meet that God starts within. I am channeling Tillich when I say…when we have the courage to leave all behind and reach the ground of our being…then we shall meet that which is the ground of all being.

It is interesting that throughout scripture God is the most self-actualized of all. Numerous times God simply describes God’s self as “I am.” I believe that God calls us to the same boldness. To the boldness of “I am.”

In John 14:7, Jesus declares, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Jesus claims exactly who Jesus is and we are called to do the same.

Why are we so frightened to simply be who we are? Why do we live frightened? The answer is that we value safety over being. We would rather be safe than real. This is not the life that Jesus has called us to.

In Mark 10: 17-27, Jesus encounters a rich young ruler. The ruler asks about eternal life. Jesus tells him that the rich young ruler knows the commandments. The rich young ruler claims that he has kept all of them. Jesus asks him to sell all that he has and give the proceeds to the poor. The rich young ruler turned from following Jesus, because he was very rich.

The rich young ruler treasured the safety of his possessions more than he valued true real being or being with God. When we cling to that which makes us safe rather than that which makes us most fully alive…we are no different than the rich young ruler. We often can’t know who we are because we cling so tightly to everything else or all the illusions. How many of us would rather be safe than have the courage to be…to follow God…to be real? This morning…I invite you to take the risk of letting go and embrace your ground of being. I invite you to speak the dangerous words of God and declare, “I am.” I invite you to be and God will join you there.

Amen.

Delivered at Prism Denton : A Church

fresh writings

Sermon

Previous Post

January 11, 2014

apoem: 1 Corinthians 13:13

Next Post

January 14, 2014 Stay Awake with Me

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Danny & Jeff fresh writings latest poetics north texas fellowship of reconciliation Sermon theology from death row Thoughts Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 July 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 May 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In 2 Timothy, what does Paul say about everyone who wants to live a godly life?

Select your answer to see how you score.

They will face trials They will be persecuted They will be blessed They will receive a crown