1 Peter 5:2
“Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;”
The elder is to tend the flock of God willing, not of constraint. This says a lot about the nature of God. It’s a natural reflex to think that God is angry and needs to be appeased.
I have a friend who grew up in an island culture. He was raised knowing and respecting the beliefs about the gods of that culture. There was a god of the stream. If one wanted to cross it, one needed to offer a small sacrifice. The gods of thunder and weather seemed angry and needed satisfying. My friend had a strong sense of anxiety due to this. It wasn’t that he practiced these, but that he was always on the verge of making God (or someone) angry. Nature is harsh. Therefore he naturally thought that God was also that way.
Many religions portray a god who needs satisfying. Monks portray a life of abstaining from many pleasures. This is done to get closer to their god. This view sees the many joys of life as self indulgent.
One does not need to be a monk to get this feeling. A regular worshipper gets this sense. The adults in the church that are more serious in the faith seem to be more somber. This also gives the feeling that God is that way.
The god of the bible is much different. He created this world to be enjoyed. He wants us to come to Him willingly. Today’s passage says He is to be served willingly.
Lord, thank You that don’t pressure anyone to serve You. Help us to know Your love.