This passage from Thomas á Kempis' classic work The Imitation of Christ offers profound insight into the proper order of one's fears and priorities. The central message is clear: we should fear God, not mortal men. For what can any person truly do against one who is under the protection of the Almighty?
Á Kempis reminds us that man is fleeting - "today he is, and tomorrow he appears no more." In the grand scheme of eternity, the temporary troubles and threats we face from other fallible humans are inconsequential. It is only the judgment of God that should give us pause. By keeping our focus on the God, we free ourselves from the need to be afraid of our fellow mortals and their empty words or actions.
Moreover, the author astutely points out that those who wrong us ultimately harm themselves more than us. Their transgressions will be held accountable before the ultimate Judge. We need not waste energy on "complaining words" or bitterness, for our recourse is in God's hands, not our own.
Even in the face of undeserved suffering or "confusion," á Kempis cautions against losing our composure. To do so would be to "lessen [our] crown" - that is, to diminish the eternal rewards that await the faithful. Instead, we must maintain our trust in the Lord and persist in righteous living.
In an age that increasingly celebrates self-reliance and lashes out against perceived injustices, this wisdom from The Imitation of Christ stands in stark contrast. It calls us to a higher perspective, to find our security not in the fickle opinions or actions of men, but in the perfect justice and protection of our Heavenly Father. It is a lesson well worth heeding.
Momento Mori, Carpe Diem,
Mike the Lesser