Built For Greatness
Built For Greatness isn’t just another platform—it’s a movement designed to inspire, equip, and empower you to step into your full potential. Whether you're seeking faith-driven motivation, personal development insights, or practical strategies for success, we bring you content that fuels your mind, strengthens your spirit, and challenges you to rise higher.
In a rapidly changing and increasingly divided world, the need for a renewed focus on faith, truth, and unity has never been greater. The BFG Podcast offers a compelling and transformative path for those who feel called to participate in the New Evangelization, a mission to spread the Gospel with a new ardor, expression, and method.
Our commitment is to restore the truth, not just as a historical or doctrinal concept, but as a living and active force that shapes how we live, serve, and interact with others. The BFG Handbook we offer at www.builtforgreatness.com presents the Gospel in a fresh way, making it relevant to today’s challenges while staying true to the eternal truths of Christ. This is not a new gospel but a renewed and vibrant expression of the Good News that invites all to encounter Jesus in profound and meaningful ways.
Built For Greatness
Living Water: BFG Handbook Chapter 34 Igniting the New Evangelization (Rediscovering Divine Flow)
Discover the highlights of this chapter shaping the New Evangelization today: https://www.builtforgreatness.com/tao-te-ching-chapter-34-living-water/
What if spiritual renewal came not through acquiring more knowledge, but through aligning ourselves with the powerful flow of God's presence? The metaphor of "living water" appears throughout scripture, but Chapter 34 of the Built for Greatness handbook breathes fresh life into this ancient concept, revealing it as a practical pathway to restored spiritual vitality.
The Spirit of God flows like a river to every corner of our world. This divine current nurtures without controlling, fulfills its purpose without seeking glory, and achieves greatness through profound humility. These seemingly paradoxical qualities challenge our cultural obsession with control, recognition, and self-promotion, offering instead a radical alternative for how true significance is attained.
Through a remarkably practical framework called the Trinitarian method—Mindset, Aim, and Practice (MAP)—we explore eight spiritual orientations that transform everyday living. From embracing divine flow to practicing selfless service, each principle connects directly to scripture while offering tangible actions for embodying these truths. Rather than remaining abstract concepts, these mindsets become lived realities through intentional practice.
Perhaps most fascinating is the chapter's exploration of common spiritual threads across diverse faith traditions. While firmly rooted in Christian scripture, thoughtful parallels emerge between the living water concept and similar ideas in Buddhist, Islamic, and Hindu teachings. These connections don't diminish distinctive beliefs but suggest that truth often finds varied expression across human spiritual experience—a reminder that beneath our differences may lie surprising common ground.
For those feeling spiritually parched or wondering if there's more to faith than religious performance, this episode offers a refreshing invitation. The living water flows freely, available to all who would align themselves with its current. Will you step into the stream?
We are going to be looking at chapter 34 of the Built for Greatness, Built for God movement handbook.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:And this chapter is called Living Water. And right away, like, the first thing that struck me about this chapter is that it presents the gospel through like a new expression of God's love. Okay, and the whole purpose of this new expression is to restore. Restore, yeah, the truth with a capital t interesting, interesting so, um, I thought it was interesting.
Speaker 1:I mean, obviously, like, the chapter dies into a lot of detail, yeah, but right away it's like, okay, that's what we're trying to do here, um, and to do that the chapter really leans into, um, this core image or this core metaphor, yeah, uh, of the spirit of god being like a river of living water.
Speaker 1:So, for this deep dive, what I want to do with you is really try to understand what are the key characteristics of this living water as it's presented in the chapter, and then what does that mean for us? Like, how should we live our lives in light of that? And, of course, we'll be connecting all of this back to Christian scripture, of course, of course. So the deep dive, basically, is broken into two main parts. Okay, first we're going to be exploring these attributes of this living water, then we're going to see how the chapter connects those ideas to the principles of renewal through what it calls the Trinitarian method mindset, aim and practice. And then, finally, we'll touch upon some of the broader connections the chapter makes in the respond section. So, yeah, I don't know what was your initial take when you read this chapter. What stood out to you?
Speaker 2:Well, I mean right away, I just love how it uses this image of water. You know, something that we all can relate to, right, we all need water to survive, and it uses this image to really illustrate this concept of the spirit of God. For a lot of people, a difficult concept to really grasp.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And it just does it in such an effective way, conveying this sense of you know, this thing is so essential, you know so dynamic and just absolutely necessary for life, Right, right, and I also, I found that whole idea of restoring the truth kind of intriguing. You know, it almost suggests that maybe there's some sort of fundamental understanding that's been lost or distorted.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And this chapter is trying to bring it back into clear focus.
Speaker 1:Right, yeah.
Speaker 2:Using this image of living water.
Speaker 1:Totally. Yeah, I completely agree, yeah. So, like you said, the chapter really goes beyond just introducing this metaphor, Very specifically finding the attributes of this living water. So let's jump into those now.
Speaker 2:Okay, let's do it.
Speaker 1:The first one is that it flows to every corner of the world, so I mean right away. That suggests like a pretty limitless reach, right?
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely. It's emphasizing this idea of universal accessibility, Right? You know it's not limited by geography or only available to a select few. It's presented as something that's literally everywhere.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And the chapter right away directs us to John 7.3739, where Jesus talks about those who believe in him having rivers of living water flowing from within, and the gospel writer explains that he was talking about the spirit. So, while the BFG movement handbook is presenting it in its own way, this idea of the spirit's widespread presence is not a new concept in Christian thought.
Speaker 1:Right. It's almost like it's saying that fundamental thing is available to anyone anywhere.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Okay, so the next characteristic the chapter lists is that all things depend on it for life and it never stops Right. So that really speaks to like it's foundational, you know God's constant provision.
Speaker 2:Yes, precisely, and the chapter actually connects this to John 15.1, where Jesus uses that analogy of the vine and the branches saying essentially you know he is the source of life and we as believers are dependent on him. So if you think of it like the sap, you know, constantly flowing through the vine to nourish the branches and allow them to bear fruit, it really illustrates this point that the spirit is this unending source of vitality that everything relies on.
Speaker 1:Right, okay, so it's everywhere and it's this constant source of life for everything, exactly. The third attribute is very interesting. I thought yeah, it says it fulfills its purpose without taking glory.
Speaker 2:Interesting.
Speaker 1:So there's a real sense of selflessness there, right Like what does that tell us about? You know this living water.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think what's really fascinating here is that the chapter draws a parallel to Jesus's own example of humility, and it specifically mentions John 8.50, 54.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And Philippians 2.5 to 8. Okay, and you know, in Philippians, okay, and Philippians 2.5 to 8. Okay, and you know, in Philippians we see that even though Jesus was fully God, he didn't cling to that status. He willingly humbled himself and took on the form of a servant. So this whole concept of fulfilling a really profound purpose, yeah. Without needing recognition.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Is really central to the character of God as it's presented here.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know, the spirit's work is to bring life and to fulfill god's will, not to draw attention to itself. Right, it's. It's a power that's directed outwards, you know. Yeah, not inwards for self-aggrandizement okay, the.
Speaker 1:The next characteristic is that it uh clothes and feeds new life to many, but does not control.
Speaker 2:Interesting.
Speaker 1:So it's nurturing and life-giving, but not in a way that dominates or dictates.
Speaker 2:Right exactly?
Speaker 1:What are the implications of that?
Speaker 2:Well, I think it speaks to a kind of influence that encourages growth and provides sustenance, without any coercion.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:So think of it like how rain nourishes a field right. It provides what's needed for the crops to grow, but it doesn't force a particular seed to sprout or dictate exactly how it will grow Right. So, similarly, the spirit empowers and provides for a new life, but respects free will and the individuality of the recipient. So it's more of a gentle fostering force than a controlling one.
Speaker 1:Okay, the next attribute is ever desiring nothing of this world. So this suggests you know a real detachment from earthly concerns.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:How does the chapter kind of connect this to Christian teaching concerns?
Speaker 2:How does the chapter kind of connect this to Christian teaching? So the chapter links this to Matthew 19.21. You know that's the story of the rich young ruler who Jesus tells to sell his possessions if he wants to truly follow him. And the underlying principle here is about prioritizing eternal values over these temporary earthly ones.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:So the spirit being divine isn't driven by worldly desires, right, its focus is on God's kingdom and eternal purposes, and this is calling believers to cultivate a similar detachment, you know, recognizing that these worldly pursuits are ultimately fleeting.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And to focus on what truly lasts.
Speaker 1:Okay, so a focus on the eternal, not just the present, exactly Okay. The next one is all things return to it, but it does not control.
Speaker 2:Hmm, that's interesting.
Speaker 1:So again we have that theme of non-control.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But now it's coupled with this idea of God's ultimate authority, it seems.
Speaker 2:Right right.
Speaker 1:What's the nuance there?
Speaker 2:Yeah, idea of God's ultimate authority. It seems right, right like what's the, what's the nuance there? Yeah, so the references to Ecclesiastes 3.20-21 okay and Ecclesiastes 1.7, I think are really insightful here okay um. Those passages talk about this cyclical nature of life. You know that all living things ultimately return to the dust from which they came um and, in a broader sense, all creation owes its origin to god right so the spirit as the source of life is where everything ultimately finds its origin and its destination right um.
Speaker 2:Yet, as we've discussed this, return isn't forced yeah or manipulative right. So god's sovereignty is presented here as this guiding force okay that respects the inherent freedom and nature of creation.
Speaker 1:Okay, next we have it can be named great, but does not declare itself as great, and this really echoes, you know, that humility that we saw earlier.
Speaker 2:Yes, it does.
Speaker 1:Why is this, like silent greatness, so significant?
Speaker 2:Well, the chapter points us to Luke 1.32.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Where the angel Gabriel announces that Jesus will be called the son of the most high. It also mentions Hebrews, 12.1 to 6.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And Hebrews 1.1 to 6.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Which talk about Jesus's supreme glory, but also his humble suffering and service.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:So true greatness as demonstrated by Jesus and mirrored in the spirit. It doesn't need self-advertisement, it's inherent and it's evident through actions and character, not through boasting or self-promotion. It's a greatness that speaks for itself.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's in the doing, not the saying.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:And the final attribute in this section is thus it achieves greatness. The final attribute in this section is thus it achieves greatness. So it's through this humility and selflessness that true greatness is attained. That's almost counterintuitive to how, you know, the world defines greatness.
Speaker 2:It's really like a radical concept.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:You know the idea that in God's economy, greatness is often found in the opposite of what the world values. It's through service, humility and obedience to God's will that true and lasting greatness is achieved.
Speaker 1:Right, okay, so that gives us a really good overview of the characteristics of this living water. Now the handbook moves into talking about how we can actually experience renewal through this, using what it calls the Trinitarian method, which is MAP Right Mindset, aim and practice.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:So let's start with mindset. The first mindset listed is embrace the flow. Yeah, so how does that? You does that connect back to this whole idea of the Spirit as a river?
Speaker 2:Well, I think this directly echoes that initial description of the Spirit as this flowing river. The mindset here is about actively aligning ourselves with God's continuous presence and guidance in our lives.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:So the chapter references John 7.38 again, along with Ezekiel 47.9 and Revelation 22.1-2.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:All of which use these really vivid images, this vibrant, flowing aspect of divine light, and reflect on God's presence before we act, to try to be more attuned to where the spirit might be leading us right.
Speaker 1:So it's about like being intentional, tuning into that divine current exactly okay, the. The next mindset listed is depend on god for life, and this feels like it very strongly relates to that. You know never stops. So what's the? What's the mindset here?
Speaker 2:so the mindset here is about this deep recognition that god is the ultimate source of all life, everything that we need okay and it references Colossians 1.16, 17 okay which talks about Christ as the creator and sustainer of all things.
Speaker 2:Mm-hmm acts 17.28, which says that in God we live and move and have our being right finding strength in Christ, and so the practical application here is to consciously acknowledge this dependence in all of our endeavors, both big and small, not just in moments of crisis, but in our daily work, in our relationships, even in our thoughts.
Speaker 1:Right. So a constant awareness, our reliance on God.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Okay, the third mindset is act with humility and of course this links to that without taking glory attribute.
Speaker 2:Yes, it does.
Speaker 1:So what does that look like? You know, practically in our everyday lives.
Speaker 2:So the mindset here is about serving others and fulfilling our purpose without needing personal recognition or praise. You know, the focus is solely on pleasing God, right? And it references Matthew 6.1 to 4. Okay, where Jesus teaches about giving, praying and fasting in secret. Philippians 2.3 to 4, which encourages us to consider others as more important than ourselves, right? And then Luke 14.11 about humbling oneself, mm-hmm. And the real world application here is to really check our motivations before we act.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:You know. Are we seeking the approval of others, yeah or are we genuinely trying to serve God and those around us?
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's a constant check that I think we probably all need. The next mindset listed is nurture without control. Okay, and again, this clearly connects to that attribute of the living water that we were talking about.
Speaker 2:It does.
Speaker 1:So how do we put that into practice?
Speaker 2:So the mindset here is about supporting the growth and development of others without trying to manipulate or dictate their path. Okay, it references Galatians 5.2 to the fruit of the spirit, you know, which includes gentleness and self-control, right First Corinthians 12.4 to 7, highlighting the diversity of spiritual gifts given for the common good, and Romans 8.14, which talks about being led by the spirit. Okay, so the practical application is to, you know, give freedom and encouragement in our relationships, relationships whether it's with family or friends or colleagues, and also in leadership roles, allowing others the space to grow and discover their own potential, guided by the spirit, not our own need to control.
Speaker 1:So letting go of the need to control outcomes and trusting in other people's journey.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:The fifth mindset is desire nothing worldly.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:And this ties into the spirit's detachment Right. So how can we cultivate that kind of desire?
Speaker 2:Well, the mindset here is about shifting our focus and our longings away from these earthly possessions and fleeting pleasures, okay, and toward eternal values and spiritual fulfillment in God Mm-hmm, and it references Matthew 6.19. Pleasures, okay, and toward eternal values and spiritual fulfillment in God, and it references Matthew 6.1921.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Which is the teaching on storing up treasures in heaven, right Philippians 3.1920, which contracts earthly and heavenly citizenship, and Colossians 3.2, which urges us to set our minds on things above. So the real world application is to really evaluate our desires.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And our priorities on a regular basis.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:You know what are we truly seeking, what holds the most value for us?
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And this encourages us to consciously reorient ourselves.
Speaker 1:Right. It's a good point for self-reflection. The next mindset is trust God's sovereignty. Okay, and this is linked to, you know, the idea that all things ultimately return to the spirit without control, Right. So how does this mindset bring peace?
Speaker 2:So the mindset here is this deep conviction that God is ultimately in control of all things and that his plan will prevail.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Even amidst uncertainty and challenges, while still respecting human free will.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:It references Romans 11.36. Okay, which declares that from God and through God and to God are all things. Revelation 21.5, which promises a new heaven and new earth, and Colossians 1.20, which talks about God reconciling all things through Christ, and Colossians 1.20, which talks about God reconciling all things through Christ. So the practical application is to consciously release anxiety over outcomes that are beyond our control.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Trusting that God's wisdom and purpose will ultimately be fulfilled.
Speaker 1:Easier said than done sometimes.
Speaker 2:It is, it is.
Speaker 1:But a very crucial mindset. Yeah, the seventh mindset is humble greatness, which connects to that idea of being named great without self-proclamation. So how does this play out in our actions?
Speaker 2:So the mindset here is about understanding that true greatness in God's eyes is found in humility and service to others. Okay, not in seeking personal acclaim or recognition.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And it references Matthew 23.112.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Which states that the greatest among you will be your servant. Second Corinthians 10.17, which reminds us to boast in the Lord Right. And James 4.10, which urges us to humble ourselves before the Lord. So the real world application is to constantly check our motivation.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:You know when we're seeking recognition.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Are we trying to elevate ourselves or are we seeking to reflect God's glory through our actions?
Speaker 1:Again, a constant challenge to the ego.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:And then the final mindset is greatness through service, and this links directly to you know, achieving greatness through humility.
Speaker 2:Yeah Well, the mindset here is this profound understanding that true and lasting greatness is attained through humble, selfless service to others, mirroring the example of Jesus himself.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And the chapter references Matthew 20.2, 628.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Where Jesus teaches that whoever wants to be great must be a servant.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Luke 9.48, which emphasizes that the one who is least among you all is the one who is great. And 1 Peter 5.5 to 6, which calls us to clothe ourselves with humility in our dealings with one another.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:So the practical application is to consciously and actively look for opportunities to serve others in our daily lives in whatever capacity we can.
Speaker 1:Okay, so that was a lot, yeah, and that was just the mindset part of MAP, exactly so. The handbook then briefly touches upon the corresponding aims.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And for each it mentions like the core idea.
Speaker 2:So for aligning with God's flow.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:The aim is, you know, very simply, aligned with God's flow, and John 7.38 is the reference. So what is the core intention there?
Speaker 1:So the core intention is to really direct our lives and our decisions in harmony with the Holy Spirit, you know, allowing it to shape our paths.
Speaker 2:Okay, great For depending on God's sustenance. The aim is again, pretty simply, depend on God's sustenance.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:It's the underlying intention there.
Speaker 1:I think the intention there is to consciously and consistently rely on God as the ultimate provider and sustainer of every aspect of our lives, you know, really acknowledging our dependence on him.
Speaker 2:Yeah, okay, for acting with humility and service.
Speaker 1:The aim is act with humility and service. Philippians 2.3 is the scripture. What's the driving intention there?
Speaker 2:Well, I think the intention is to really make humility and selfless service Okay the fundamental principles that guide all of our actions and interactions and relationships.
Speaker 1:Okay For nurturing without control.
Speaker 2:The aim is empower, not control. So the intention is to create environments, whether it's personal or professional, where others feel encouraged and supported to grow and develop their gift and flourish independently, without our need to dominate or micromanage.
Speaker 1:Right, right, yeah For desiring nothing worldly. The aim is live with detachment.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:And the reference is Colossians 3.2. What's?
Speaker 2:the primary intention there To prioritize spiritual values and focus our deepest longings on eternal realities and our relationship with God, rather than being consumed by material possessions or earthly desires.
Speaker 1:Okay For trusting God's sovereignty. The aim is trust God's sovereignty. Romans 11.36 is the scripture Romans 11.36 is the scripture.
Speaker 2:I think the key intention is to cultivate this unwavering trust in God's ultimate plan and purpose for our lives and the world, you know, releasing our need to control outcomes.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And finding peace in his authority.
Speaker 1:Okay For humble greatness. The aim is true greatness through service. Matthew 23.11 is the reference Right. What's the foundational intention there?
Speaker 2:I think the foundational intention is to understand and embody the principle that genuine honor and significance come not from seeking personal elevation but from humbly serving others.
Speaker 1:Right. And then, finally, for achieving greatness the aim is achieve greatness through obedience. Greatness the aim is achieve greatness through obedience, and Matthew 20.28 is the reference.
Speaker 2:Right. What's the ultimate intention there? I think the ultimate intention there is to recognize that, living in complete alignment with God's will and being obedient to his commands is the true path to achieving greatness in his eyes.
Speaker 1:Okay, so that covers the aims.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Now the third part of the Trinitarian method is practice. Okay, this is about tangible actions, right?
Speaker 2:Exactly how do we actually do these things?
Speaker 1:So first, practice align with God's flow. What tangible actions does the chapter suggest here?
Speaker 2:The suggested practice is to intentionally and regularly seek God's guidance through things like prayer, mindfulness of His presence, just being receptive to the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives and the world.
Speaker 1:So making space for it.
Speaker 2:Yes, setting aside daily time for quiet reflection, actively asking for God's direction, remaining open to those unexpected promptings or opportunities.
Speaker 1:Second practice depend on God's sustenance. What does this look like in action?
Speaker 2:This practice involves actively cultivating that sense of complete reliance, consciously acknowledging Him as the source of our strengths, our purpose, our very being. It might mean intentionally pausing to acknowledge our dependence on God before starting any task, or turning to prayer first in moments of challenge, rather than immediately trying to solve things on our own steam.
Speaker 1:Third practice serve with humility. How do we actively do this?
Speaker 2:Effort to serve others selflessly in our everyday interactions, without any expectation of personal recognition.
Speaker 1:Looking for opportunities.
Speaker 2:Actively looking, yes, for small, quiet ways to help those around us in our families, workplaces, communities, Acting as a conduit of God's love without needing any spotlight.
Speaker 1:Fourth practice empower others, don't control. What are some practical steps here?
Speaker 2:The practice involves actively nurturing and empowering those around us, intentionally giving them the space and resources they need to grow and make their own decisions, offering support and guidance rather than dictating.
Speaker 1:So less telling, more equipping.
Speaker 2:Exactly In relationships and leadership. This might mean delegating responsibilities, encouraging independent thinking, providing constructive feedback without being overly prescriptive.
Speaker 1:Fifth practice detach from worldly desires. How can we implement this?
Speaker 2:The suggested practice is to regularly and intentionally prioritize God's kingdom and eternal values above chasing worldly stuff.
Speaker 1:Like a regular checkup on priorities.
Speaker 2:Kind of, yeah, regularly assessing our spending habits, our time commitments. Do they align with spiritual priorities, practicing contentment, consciously focusing on spiritual growth and serving others, not just accumulating things?
Speaker 1:The sixth practice trust in God's sovereignty. What does this look like day to day?
Speaker 2:The practice involves cultivating that deep trust, consciously releasing the need to control outcomes, surrendering our agendas to His wisdom. It might mean intentionally taking moments to give those worries and anxieties to God in prayer, finding peace in the knowledge of His ultimate control, even when things don't go as we planned.
Speaker 1:Seventh practice pursue true greatness through service. How can we actively do this?
Speaker 2:The suggested practice is to consistently focus on serving others with humility and love, intentionally allowing true greatness to naturally emerge from those selfless actions, rather than seeking to declare our own importance.
Speaker 1:Letting the service speak for itself.
Speaker 2:Exactly Looking for opportunities to serve big and small, letting our actions speak and trusting God to elevate us if he chooses.
Speaker 1:And the eighth practice Fulfill your purpose through obedience. What are some ways to live this out?
Speaker 2:The practice involves actively prioritizing obedience to God's will in all areas of life, trusting that true, lasting greatness is a direct result of living according to His plan.
Speaker 1:So obedience as the practical path.
Speaker 2:Yes, regularly studying God's word, seeking to understand his commands, making conscious choices to align our actions with his principles. Even when it's hard or uncomfortable, trusting it ultimately leads to fulfilling our purpose.
Speaker 1:We've thoroughly explored the mindset, aim and practice aspects of this path to renewal mindset, aim and practice aspects of this path to renewal. Now the chapter transitions to respond, which focuses on the transformation of spirit and making disciples, and the first point here, alignment with God's flow takes an interesting turn, it starts drawing parallels with other spiritual traditions.
Speaker 2:Yes, this is quite striking, isn't it? The attempt to find common threads across different faiths.
Speaker 1:How does it do that?
Speaker 2:Well, the chapter points to the Christian understanding of the Holy Spirit bringing life, then connects it to the Buddhist concept of Dharma flow, the Islamic principle of Tawhid, suggesting God's presence everywhere, and the Hindu idea of the river Ganga representing divine consciousness.
Speaker 1:So finding a common idea of divine flow.
Speaker 2:Exactly the text suggests. The unifying idea here is a kind of universal divine energy or presence that guides and sustains life, seen through different lenses.
Speaker 1:Interesting. How might one practice that idea?
Speaker 2:Well, a practical way to engage might be through mindfulness, prayer or other contemplative practices that just help us become more aware of this potential divine presence in daily life.
Speaker 1:But the second Rasaan to point is dependence on God's sustenance, and again it looks for parallels.
Speaker 2:That's right. It connects the Christian teaching on our reliance on God, like in John 15.
Speaker 1:The vine and branches again.
Speaker 2:Yes, it links that with the Buddhist concept of dependent origination, how everything is interconnected the Islamic emphasis on Allah as the sustainer in Surah al-Fatiha and a Hindu teaching in the Bhagavad Gita about the divine supporting all life.
Speaker 1:So the common thread is….
Speaker 2:That life is fundamentally a gift and we are all ultimately dependent on a higher power or reality.
Speaker 1:In the practice.
Speaker 2:Cultivating daily gratitude, consciously acknowledging the source of all good things in our prayers, our actions.
Speaker 1:The third respond point focuses on selfless service and humility. Where are the parallels here?
Speaker 2:Here the chapter draws lines between Jesus' teaching on servant leadership in Matthew. Right the greatest being the servant. The Buddhist emphasis on selfless action, or karma yoga and Islamic Hadith is saying that highlights benefiting mankind, and the Bhagavad Gita's teaching on acting without attachment to the results.
Speaker 1:What's the common idea?
Speaker 2:That true greatness arises from serving and uplifting others, rather than seeking personal advancement or reward.
Speaker 1:And application. Fourth respond point Empowering others instead of controlling.
Speaker 2:This section connects Jesus, empowering his followers in acts.
Speaker 1:Go and make disciples.
Speaker 2:The Buddhist encouragement of self-discovery found in the Dhammapada, the Islamic principle against forced conversion in Surah Al-Baqarah, no compulsion in religion and the Hindu idea of each soul having its own path, mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita. So the shared value is the importance of free will and personal agency in spiritual growth, respecting others' journeys.
Speaker 1:How does that look practically?
Speaker 2:Adopting an empowering style of leadership or interaction, giving others the tools and encouragement to make their own decisions and grow, not trying to force them. It mentions acts, that's, sura, the Gita and the Dhammapada.
Speaker 1:Okay, fifth respond point Detachment from worldly desires. We touched on this. How are the parallels drawn?
Speaker 2:This part draws parallels between Jesus' teaching on storing treasures in heaven in Matthew.
Speaker 1:Not on earth, where moth and rust destroy.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It connects that to the Buddhist understanding of attachment as a root of suffering from the Dhammapada, the islamic idea of worldly possessions being temporary, mentioned in surah hadid, and the hindi advocacy for detachment from the fruits of action in the bhagavad-gita common teaching seems clear. Don't get hooked on temporary stuff pretty much the fleeting nature of material desires and the importance of focusing on inner peace and spiritual development, and the application intentionally focusing on inner growth, practicing contentment, prioritizing love and service over just accumulating more things.
Speaker 2:Cites Matthew, that's Zura, the Gita and the Dhammapada again.
Speaker 1:And the final respond point trust in divine sovereignty.
Speaker 2:Here the chapter connects the Christian belief in God's sovereignty often discussed in reference to Romans 8.28 all things working together for good yes, it links this with the buddhist law of karma and dependent origination, though the connection to sovereignty might be interpreted differently there. True, the islamic belief in the absolute sovereignty of allah very clear in surah al-ikhlas he's allah the one and, and the Hindu concept of Brahman as the ultimate reality guiding all.
Speaker 1:So the unifying idea is a belief in a higher power or plan.
Speaker 2:Yeah, a larger plan beyond our full understanding. Guiding things.
Speaker 1:How do we practice that trust?
Speaker 2:By consciously practicing surrender, giving up our worries and anxieties, acting with faith even when the path isn't clear, trusting that higher guidance. It references Romans, sort of Ali Klaus, the Gita and the Dhammapada here.
Speaker 1:So, as we wrap up, our deep dive into chapter 34 of the BFG handbook wow, we've really unpacked this powerful metaphor, haven't we? The Spirit of God is a consistently flowing river of living water.
Speaker 2:We really have, and we've seen how the chapter emphasizes the crucial role of humility in selfless service. That's the true path, according to this text, to achieving genuine greatness, directly reflecting the example set by Jesus.
Speaker 1:And we've thoroughly examined that Trinitarian MAP for spiritual renewal, looking at its practical implications for our mindset, our aims and, importantly, our daily practices.
Speaker 2:All designed, hopefully, to give you a clear and comprehensive understanding of this chapter and its wider significance, at least within the BFG movement's framework for restoring truth in our lives.
Speaker 1:You know, the chapter concludes with that thought-provoking quote attributed to St Thomas Aquinas Truth cannot contradict truth. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? Maybe, exploring different spiritual perspectives, even those that seem quite different from our own at first glance, maybe it can surprisingly reveal common ground Worth pondering. Well, thank you for taking this deep dive with us today.