Being Good - Good for Me

I have in my mind a metaphor which helps me picture the relationship between a loving God and the benefits of virtue. Here is the metaphor.

Jesus and I are standing at the base of a large tree. We are together. He encourages me to climb the tree (embrace the virtues - do the hard work of incorporating the virtues till they become a part of who I am).

He says He is with me whether at the base of the tree (no work, no virtues) or while climbing, (neither here nor there - work, but no virtues in place) or at the top of the tree (virtues established).

But He encourages me to climb because of the view at the top. He wants to give me joy. The virtues are encouraged because they will result in joy for me.

He is with me no matter whether I begin the journey, while on the journey or at the top with a spectacular view all mine. And I am not climbing for God - He has already seen the view. I am not being good for Him - I am being good for me! (Good for me!)

The incomplete part of this metaphor is that the hard work and the establishing of virtues, in reality, results in a weaving among people that this metaphor doesn't address. Also, even though there is no proof of this, I believe every virtuous life raises the Sea of Goodness on earth, thereby eventually bring forth the Sea of the Kingdom of God.