“Our pleasure and our duty, though opposite before; Since we have seen his beauty, are joined to part no more.” -John Newton

Whether by cultural obligation, religious belief, or individual conscience, everyone lives according to a set of behavioral standards. Regardless of what code of law we follow, it is useful to understand the driving force behind why we follow the rules we do, especially when it conflicts with our desires.

The basic psychological approach says behavior is driven by positive and negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement involves doing an undesired action, like studying, to gain a desired outcome, such as knowledge or a good grade. Negative reinforcement involves abstaining from a desired action to avoid a consequence, such as not overeating to avoid gaining weight.

Some religions operate on the same premise. In terms of positive reinforcement, it is the notion that one must pray, fast, or give to the poor to gain a future reward or favor. Negative reinforcement is the notion that one must abstain from lying, committing adultery, or mistreating others to avoid punishment or condemnation. Both examples reflect motivations to obey that are focused on personal gain or avoidance of suffering.

But there is another way. It is one that is inherently relational and seeks to serve others. It is based on the concept of grace – getting a reward that is not deserved. When we are on the receiving end of an act of grace, it transforms the desires of our heart to be one of obedience. This time, obedience flows not out of obligation for attaining personal gain, but out of desire to love and honor the person who granted us the gift.

A classic illustration of this comes from Les Misérables. Jean Valjean, a recently released convict who is rejected by everyone in town, finally finds refuge at the home of a local priest for food and lodging. That night, Valjean steals all the silver in the house and departs. When he is caught and brought in to be resentenced to prison, the priest not only forgives him, but also presents him the remainder of his silver to support the beginning of Valjean’s life as a free man.

The priest became poor so that Valjean could become rich. His act of giving all his wealth to a stranger and criminal touches Valjean’s heart so much that it leads to his transformation from a hardened convict to a loving mayor and father.

For the remainder of the book, Valjean’s dedication to a life of service is motivated not by the prospect of individual gain, but by a desire to honor the priest who gave up his wealth that Valjean might be a free man, when he otherwise would have been sent back to prison.

The priest didn’t sacrifice his wealth for Valjean because he was worthy of it. The priest scarified his wealth for Valjean to make him worthy. Love is the precursor, and obedience to law is the result. Not the other way around.

Why is this relevant to future healers and naturopathic doctors? Whether we are a student, a doctor, or a stay-at-home mother, we have a choice every day. We can go through the motions of routine life fueled by a motivation of gaining an outcome (such as graduation, money, leisure, a future spouse, a job).

Or we can be like Valjean and receive the grace that is available to us. As a result, our lives will reflect acts of obedience and service – not out of a desire for personal gain, but out of a desire to love and give thanks to the one who gave us grace.

Which dynamic is more effective at fostering true healing in ourselves and others, one that is impersonal and transactional in nature, or one that is relational and fully transformational?

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