There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment. -1 John 4:18

I just finished doing everything I could possibly do to save a big order that shouldn’t have gone south. I did everything I could miraculously well, and all said and done…I wait.

Here’s the thing. I sighed, closed my laptop at 6:30, Friday before a long holiday, and thought, “Lord, I did everything by the book, there shouldn’t be a need for You to punish me in this.”

Really? Where did that come from?  I think through every single step, knowing everything I’d done was with integrity, looking for where I must have gone wrong, and when I find nothing, I let God know in case 1. He didn’t notice or 2. He was already considering punishing me and I wanted to be preemptive?  Why would my brain go there? 

What I’m grateful for: I caught it. The Spirit gave me ears to hear, and brought a memory to mind.

I struggled perhaps 25 years with something my grandma told me in my teens: “There is no reward or punishment, just consequence.”

My opinion wavered on the statement for years, but I think I’ve finally landed.

Truth. Cause and effect are a thing. If you sow love, you reap love. If you sow fear, hate, neglect, selfishness, apathy, rage, judgement, you reap what are typically perceived as pretty negative consequences. Even so, both reap consequences after the initial sowing.

He’s not on His throne waiting for you to mess up, so He can pick through the pile for His most powerful, situationally appropriate lightening bolt. Hear me, decisions made contrary to the heart of God, His word, will reap consequences. But they bring Him no joy; He cares that you’ll have to battle through it. But, He’s never left you, never will. He’s not just ready to “pickup the pieces once you return to Him.” HE ALREADY IS picking up pieces. He has every single one in-hand, and the pieces that don’t benefit you He’s tossing. They won’t be in the rebuild. He’s holding the amazing parts of what’s left together, of YOU together. Has been the whole time. You think He didn’t know you’d do this or experience that?

Worth noting the contrary as well: Reward. Sure, scripture speaks of being richly blessed as we follow Him, absolutely. But He also says He’s kind even to evil men, because He is a good and loving Father. He blesses us richly because we are His kids. He loves us and He demonstrates His love in many ways, BECAUSE WE ARE HIS. Not because we did something “all the way right and deserve reward”, depending on how my above situation resolves, for example.

He loves you. You’re His kid. His daughter, son. And He loves your socks off. With consequence comes refining, discipline and blessing, not because of anything we do or don’t do perfectly.  It’s due solely to a Loving Father that desires to share His goodness with us, and sometimes the consequence includes correction. It’s still loving, will bring Him glory, and bring about our ultimate good.  Because that’s just who He is…and we love Him all the more for it.