The remarkable thing about the way in which Christianity inspires its followers is its ability to motivate through love. Yes, there are elements of fear and shame and avoidance of wrath involved in the process of sanctification, but these are expected to leave as a disciple becomes mature. Acts of adoration, worship, thanks, grace, mercy and sacrifice are expected to grow. These things don’t grow, as they did, from the deficits of a sinful and sad relationship with God, but instead from a place of safety in relationship with God. A church who feels safe with God, is a church who feels free to worship him to their hearts content. This has, as in Ezra, created mass, voluntary movements toward God’s glory. In essence, this is what the return from exile was. Heartache helps to juxtapose the exodus into a godly life. Rarely do we see that exodus owned. Most who leave their Egypt die in the wilderness before entering the promised land. In our lives, are we running to reformation? And when we do, are we doing so out of pure love and adoration, or are we escaping deficit? And if we believe we are doing it out of love, do we see a community wide revival of men and women stepping up to also give freely to the Lord? These seem like pertinent questions to ask ourselves as we review progress in our own lives and the believing community around us.