Extracted and modified from Pete Mubarak’s article in Pentecost Today Magazine 2022
Human Nature leads to avoiding tension. We often think that simplifying things, people, or ideas will make them more understandable, and therefore allow our lives to move forward more peacefully. If we apply this mindset too liberally, we can find ourselves avoiding important relationships, opportunities, or in the case of the spiritual life, dynamic power capable of increasing our holiness and fruitfulness in mission.
On our own, we have no power, but through the Holy Spirit, the full power of God dwells in us. Too often, we live as though holiness and fruitful missions are completely unattainable to us, or we can do it on our own. Both are false and both reveal where our pride has taken root. Only the humble disciple can assert both. Pride tells us that we are too powerless to make the right decisions, avoid sin, or engage in the mission of the Church. Pride tells us that we alone are strong enough to make the right decision, avoid sin, and be the person to convert the unbelievers in our lives. Do you see the tension? Isn’t it beautiful?
It’s beautiful because at the exact center of the tension we find the answer, and of course, his name is Jesus. How freeing to live as his disciple knowing that the sufficient grace, abiding fruits, and manifest power we need are unleashed in the hearts of the faithful. Through our baptism and confirmation, we have been grafted into the body of Christ, the old flesh is gone, our stony hearts are transplanted, and now we are new creations infused with the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.
Enter into prayer, acknowledge your weakness, repent of your pride, and then boldly say yes to his power. Give the Holy Spirit permission to invade your thoughts, co-opt your plans, and work through you. Our Good Father lavishly pours out gifts on his children; don’t reject or deny them, but humbly and gratefully receive them.
Burak, P. (2022, June 25). Some tension is beautiful. Renewal Ministries. https://www.renewalministries.net/some-tension-is-beautiful/
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