Fear

Fear is the great killer of love.  But love is also the great killer of fear.  Love takes us outside ourselves, opens us to others, gives us a reason to go beyond, a purpose which over-rides the whispers in our hearts that try to hold us back.  But we are holding ourselves back because the very act of loving exposes us to pain, to suffering.  We fear the vulnerability created when we love.  Thus we hide ourselves, we run away from love, we deny those who love us.  Christ says, more than anything else, "Do not be afraid."  Yes, love will hurt.  It certainly hurt Him.  But He came through it, and He will bring us through it, into glory and joy. Don't run away.  Don't be afraid.  It is for this love that you were made.