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
Presence of the Holy Spirit: BFG Handbook Chapter 43 (How Humility Transforms Everything)
Discover the highlights of this chapter shaping the New Evangelization today: https://www.builtforgreatness.com/tao-te-ching-chapter-43-presence-of-the-holy-spirit/
The softest things of the world overcome the hardest things of the world. This seemingly paradoxical wisdom stands at the heart of Chapter 43 from the Built for God Movement Handbook, a fascinating spiritual text described as a "Christian edition of the Tao Te Ching."
Diving deep into this unique spiritual framework, we unpack a comprehensive approach to renewal through the presence of the Holy Spirit. The chapter's elegant structure—Restore, Renewal, Respond—creates a roadmap for spiritual transformation that feels both ancient and refreshingly relevant. Within the Renewal section, we explore five key mindsets that challenge conventional thinking: embracing humility as strategic strength, trusting in unseen spiritual realities, practicing non-interference when appropriate, letting actions speak louder than words, and recognizing the countercultural nature of God's path.
What makes this teaching particularly compelling is how it moves from abstract concepts to concrete application. Each mindset becomes an intentional aim and then transforms into daily practice. The practical examples—responding with patience during conflicts, trusting divine timing when results aren't immediate, stepping back to let natural processes unfold, demonstrating faith through consistent integrity—show how these principles can reshape our relationships, work, and spiritual journey.
Perhaps most striking is the chapter's final section on responding to others, which reveals how these spiritual principles resonate across religious boundaries. By highlighting similar values in Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism, the teaching suggests potential common ground for meaningful dialogue without compromising Christian distinctives. As Thomas Aquinas noted, "Truth cannot contradict truth."
Whether you're curious about interfaith connections, seeking practical spiritual wisdom, or interested in how Eastern and Western spiritual traditions might complement each other, this episode provides illuminating insights. How might focusing on just one of these principles—perhaps humility or the wisdom of non-action—transform your perspective this week? Join us in exploring this question and discover a different kind of strength.
Welcome to the Deep Dive. We're here to really pull apart the information you're interested in find those key insights.
Speaker 2:Yeah, get you right up to speed, properly informed, without you know all the extra noise.
Speaker 1:Exactly. We want those aha moments for you, the stuff that sticks. Today we're looking at something that's definitely got people talking. It's Chapter 43 from the Built for God Movement Handbook.
Speaker 2:And this is quite unique it's been called a Christian edition of the Tao Te Ching.
Speaker 1:Right, which immediately makes you think OK, what's this blend going to be like?
Speaker 2:Definitely. It talks about presenting the gospel through a new expression of God's love. The goal, they state, is to restore the truth.
Speaker 1:That framing. Restore the truth. It's intriguing.
Speaker 2:It really is Makes you want to know more.
Speaker 1:So our mission today, basically, is to get under the skin of this chapter. It's titled Presence of the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 2:We want to understand its core message. How it might, you know, connect to your everyday life within this specific BFG context.
Speaker 1:And the chapter lays it out pretty clearly. There are three main parts Restore, renewal and respond.
Speaker 2:And that renewal section. It's broken down further into mindset, aim and practice.
Speaker 1:Okay, seems like a good roadmap. Let's jump into that first part of renewal, the mindset section. The first idea is embrace humility and gentleness.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and the line they use to capture this is pretty evocative the softest things of the world overcome the hardest things of the world.
Speaker 1:Soft overcoming hard. It sounds well, gentle.
Speaker 2:It does. But the point is that this gentleness is presented as a really powerful strategy. Actually, it's suggesting that tackling challenges, dealing with people with that kind of softness, it can change things more effectively than just, you know, brute force.
Speaker 1:It's counterintuitive, isn't it? We often think strength is about being tough, pushing hard.
Speaker 2:Exactly. But think about trying to change things in a big organization. Sometimes that gentle, persistent approach, winning people over slowly, it works way better than just issuing commands.
Speaker 1:That makes a lot of sense and they tie this back to Christian teaching.
Speaker 2:They do. It connects directly to Jesus' teachings on meekness. You know Matthew 5.5, blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. It's suggesting this isn't weakness, it's a different kind of strength.
Speaker 1:A strategic strength almost.
Speaker 2:Right and think about real life. A gentle answer, like Proverbs 15.1 says, can turn away anger where a harsh word just fuels it.
Speaker 1:Philippians 4.5. Too right, Let your gentleness be evident to all.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's not about being a doormat. It's a conscious choice about how to engage.
Speaker 1:So the example they give difficult conversations at work, approaching with humility, not aggression. It's practical.
Speaker 2:Very Okay. So the next mindset shift is about trusting something beyond what we see. Trust in the invisible and transcendent power.
Speaker 1:And the line for this one is the formless spirit, which has no substance, enters the body which has no opening. That sounds quite mystical.
Speaker 2:It does, and it's likely meant poetically, not, you know, literally physically. It's painting a picture of the Holy Spirit's presence as something real, deeply impactful, but maybe not tangible in the usual sense.
Speaker 1:So the mindset is about believing in God's work, even when you can't point to it directly.
Speaker 2:Precisely Cultivating faith in the unseen, being open to those quieter movements of the Spirit. It's acknowledging there's more going on than just what's on the surface.
Speaker 1:Like trusting God's plan in ministry, or maybe a business venture, even if growth isn't obvious right away.
Speaker 2:That's the example they give. It's about faith, perseverance. Like that seed growing underground you don't see the progress, but it's happening.
Speaker 1:Romans 8.26 talks about the spirit helping us.
Speaker 2:Right, interceding for us, and 2 Corinthians 5.7,. We live by faith, not by sight.
Speaker 1:And John 3.8, the wind analogy. You feel it, hear it, but don't see it or know exactly where it's from.
Speaker 2:That captures it really well, trusting that unseen reality.
Speaker 1:Okay, the third mindset practice non-action or non-interference. This comes from the line. That is how I know the advantage of non-interfering action.
Speaker 2:Now non-action. That sounds passive, maybe, but it connects to the Taoist idea of wu-wei. It's less about doing nothing and more surrender. It's about letting go of the need to constantly control everything, allowing God's will, or maybe the natural flow of things to unfold without us forcing it, trusting the timing.
Speaker 1:Like a river finding its own path.
Speaker 2:That's a good way to put it. It's discerning when to act and when to well step back and trust Recognizing our pushing might actually get in the way.
Speaker 1:The example they use is relationships, listening, giving space instead of forcing things. That hits home.
Speaker 2:How often do we try to micromanage people or situations? This suggests a different way, more trusting way.
Speaker 1:Proverbs 3.5 to 6 comes to mind. Lean, not on your own understanding.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And Matthew 11, finding rest, isaiah 40, waiting on the Lord. It's all about that trust and surrender.
Speaker 1:So sometimes the best action is non-action, okay. Fourth mindset let your actions speak without words.
Speaker 2:Derived from the silent teaching without words. Fourth mindset let your actions speak without words. Derived from the silent teaching without words. This one shifts the focus squarely onto how we live. The idea is that the way we live, our actions, can demonstrate God's love and truth more powerfully than maybe just talking about it.
Speaker 1:Like the saying, actions speak louder than words.
Speaker 2:Pretty much Think of someone who's just consistently kind, full of integrity. Their life is the message you know.
Speaker 1:The handbook mentions volunteering, simple acts of kindness, as powerful testimonies.
Speaker 2:Right. Your character becomes the witness. Matthew 5.16,. Let your light shine.
Speaker 1:And 1 Peter 3, being ready to explain your hope, but with gentleness and respect.
Speaker 2:And Philippians 2, shining like stars through how we live, our actions have weight.
Speaker 1:Living authentically, so our lives point beyond ourselves. Got it Okay? The last mindset in this section is understand the unmatched power of God's way.
Speaker 2:This comes from the line. This is the unmatched way understood by few.
Speaker 1:Understood by few sounds exclusive.
Speaker 2:Maybe less exclusive, more Countercultural. It suggests God's way often runs against the grain of what the world values.
Speaker 1:How so.
Speaker 2:Well the world might push for status, power. Self-promotion this way often emphasizes humility, service, sacrifice, things that don't always look like winning by worldly standards.
Speaker 1:So it's about recognizing that God's path might look different, but it leads to what True fulfillment.
Speaker 2:That's the idea, acknowledging its unique power, even if it's not the popular route. The example is choosing service over self-promotion, aligning your values with God's, even if it feels upside down sometimes.
Speaker 1:First Corinthians 1.25, talks about God's foolishness being wiser than human wisdom.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and Luke 9 and Matthew 16 both talk about self-denial, taking up your cross. It's a different set of priorities.
Speaker 1:That covers the mindset part of renewal. Lots to think about there. Now, how does the aim section build on this? What should we be aiming for?
Speaker 2:Right. So aim takes those mindsets and turns them into intentions, into what we actively strive for. It's more directed.
Speaker 1:Makes sense. So the first aim connects back to humility.
Speaker 2:Yes, Aim for humility and inner strength using that same line the softest things overcome the hardest things. The mindset was recognizing this. The aim is actively cultivating humility as a strength.
Speaker 1:So making it a goal, not just an idea, exactly Working towards it.
Speaker 2:They not just an idea Exactly Working towards it.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:They connected to Jesus, overcoming sin through humility. That's the ultimate example of its power.
Speaker 1:And the real world application.
Speaker 2:It's about consciously choosing patience in conflict instead of just reacting. That choice, that aim builds inner strength, philippians 2.3,. Valuing others, that's an active aim.
Speaker 1:Okay. Second aim Aim for trust in God's unseen work. Back to the formless spirit idea.
Speaker 2:Yeah, the aim is to intentionally direct our focus, our trust, towards God's activity, even when it's invisible. Keep our eyes fixed on that unseen reality.
Speaker 1:So actively relying on prayer, trusting God's timing when things look impossible.
Speaker 2:That's the example. It's an active choice to place faith there. Isaiah 55.8-9 reminds us his ways are higher, right. We aim to trust that.
Speaker 1:Third aim aim for alignment with God's will through non-action, Using the non-interference line again.
Speaker 2:The key here is the intentionality Aiming to surrender our agenda, aiming not to force outcomes. It's a conscious alignment.
Speaker 1:So deliberately choosing to step back sometimes trust God's direction when frustrated.
Speaker 2:Exactly Psalm 46.10,. Be still and know that I am God. That's an aim, a conscious posture to adopt.
Speaker 1:Makes sense. Fourth aim aim for action through silent witness, using the silent teaching line.
Speaker 2:Here, the aim is to intentionally live in a way that our actions embody our faith, striving to make our deeds reflect the gospel's truth.
Speaker 1:So consciously choosing kindness service as a way to demonstrate faith.
Speaker 2:Precisely, titus 2.7 talks about setting an example by doing good.
Speaker 1:And the final aim.
Speaker 2:Aim for the unmatched path of God's way Back to the path understood by few.
Speaker 1:So intentionally choosing God's values.
Speaker 2:Yes, Consciously focusing on humility, sacrifice, service even when the world pulls you the other way, Aiming for ethical choices. Service over personal gain, like in business.
Speaker 1:John 14.6,. Jesus saying I am the way, that's the path to aim for.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's about intentionally pursuing that specific way. Okay so, mindset lays the foundation. That's the path to aim for Exactly. It's about intentionally pursuing that specific way Okay.
Speaker 1:So mindset lays the foundation, Aim gives the direction. Now renewal practice. How do we actually do this day to day?
Speaker 2:Right. Practice makes it concrete. How do you live this stuff out? First is practice, humility and gentleness in all things. Again, soft overcoming hard.
Speaker 1:So making it a consistent habit.
Speaker 2:Exactly Turning the mindset and aim into regular behavior. The examples are spot on Consciously responding with patience in difficult interactions, actively acknowledging others' contributions at work. It's about the doing.
Speaker 1:Matthew 11.29. Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble. It's about imitation.
Speaker 2:And James 4.6. God gives grace to the humble Philippians. 2.3 again, it's about imitation. And James 4.6,. God gives grace to the humble Philippians. 2.3 again, it's a continuous practice.
Speaker 1:Second practice, practice trust in the unseen work of God, the formless spirit entering.
Speaker 2:The key word is cultivating trust. It's an active, ongoing effort, not passive.
Speaker 1:So actively practicing patience, leaning into prayer when you're uncertain, instead of just worrying or trying to force things.
Speaker 2:That's it Engaging trust as an action. Hebrews 11.1. Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Speaker 1:You practice that assurance. Third practice non-interference in God's plan. Non-action, the advantage of non-interfering action.
Speaker 2:This is about actively aligning your actions with God's will, consciously resisting that urge to control everything, like you said before, maybe like a gardener, trusting the process.
Speaker 1:Letting go and letting God.
Speaker 2:Yes, the example is focusing on honest work and prayer in your career, rather than manipulation. You practice trust through your integrity. Psalm 46, romans 8.28, isaiah 30.15,. Finding strength in quiet trust.
Speaker 1:Fourth practice practice silent witness through your actions. The silent teaching.
Speaker 2:This is about actively choosing to let your life speak, consistently embodying God's love through everyday deeds.
Speaker 1:Making your life the message consciously showing kindness, integrity, day in, day out.
Speaker 2:Exactly, faith without works is dead. You practice faith through works Matthew 5. Exactly, faith without works is dead. You practice faith through works, matthew 5.16 again.
Speaker 1:And the fifth practice.
Speaker 2:Practice walking in God's higher path, the unmatched way.
Speaker 1:So actively living by God's values humility, love, sacrifice, even when it's tough or unpopular.
Speaker 2:It's a deliberate daily commitment, consistently choosing integrity over personal gain. That's the practice. Romans 12.2. Do not conform, but be transformed. You practice transformation.
Speaker 1:Matthew 16.24. Taking up the cross daily. It's an ongoing walk.
Speaker 2:Precisely so. Renewal gives us this whole package Mindset, aim, practice. It's quite thorough.
Speaker 1:It really is A framework for living in the presence of the Holy Spirit, with those interesting Taoist echoes.
Speaker 2:Okay, let's move to the final section Respond how does all this internal renewal translate outward?
Speaker 1:Good question. Respond suggests this transformation isn't just for us. It empowers us, or should empower us, to engage outwardly, pursuing holiness, yes, but also connecting with others, making disciples.
Speaker 2:And it suggests we can use these principles to talk across boundaries.
Speaker 1:Exactly by focusing on shared truth, maybe we can have more meaningful conversations, even with people from different backgrounds or beliefs.
Speaker 2:Okay, so the first point revisits humility and gentleness overcome hardness. But here it brings in other religions. Yes, and this is fascinating. It shows similar ideas in Islam, buddhism, hinduism, judaism. The Quran mentioning restraining anger, the Bhagavad Gita listing humility as divine.
Speaker 1:Wow, so it's highlighting a kind of universal value.
Speaker 2:That seems to be the point. Recognizing the shared ground can build bridges. The example of approaching diverse colleagues with empathy, responding calmly in conflict. That's practicing this shared value in a real world, mixed setting.
Speaker 1:It's moving beyond just theology to shared principles for well getting along.
Speaker 2:Right. And the next point does the same for trust in the unseen work of the divine. So again finding parallels, yes, Across Christianity, islam, buddhism with karma, hinduism, divine reality, judaism, trusting God's plan, there's this common thread of faith in something beyond the material.
Speaker 1:Which can be a source of unity.
Speaker 2:Potentially yes, especially in tough times. The example is drawing on that shared belief in divine guidance during, say, an interfaith community crisis, finding common ground in faith itself.
Speaker 1:Interesting Third point practicing non-interference and surrender to divine will. More parallels.
Speaker 2:Christianity, islam's inshallah, buddhist letting go, hindu non-attachment to results, jewish trust in providence. It's all there in different forms.
Speaker 1:The common idea being faith over control.
Speaker 2:I think so. The value of surrender, of trusting a higher power or order rather than just relying on our own striving the examples, teamwork and leadership, listening in relationships instead of pushing agendas, show how this fosters connection.
Speaker 1:Recognizing that wisdom of letting go seems pretty widespread. Fourth silent teaching through actions rather than words.
Speaker 2:And again we see it, echoed Christianity's let your light shine. Islamic teachings on conduct Buddhist leading by example. Hindu focus on righteous action. Jewish teachings on conduct Buddhist leading by example. Hindu focus on righteous action. Jewish emphasis on deeds.
Speaker 1:So the idea that how we live communicates powerfully is cross-cultural.
Speaker 2:It seems so Our actions become a kind of universal language, serving others through kindness in a multicultural community. That speaks volumes, regardless of belief.
Speaker 1:Right Actions, transcending words. Okay, the final point in Respond Following the unmatched path of God's higher way.
Speaker 2:And here too, while the paths have different names the narrow way, the straight path, the noble eightfold path, yoga, walking in God's ways there's a shared sense of a dedicated spiritual journey.
Speaker 1:A journey that often requires commitment and might challenge worldly norms.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's often portrayed as requiring dedication, maybe sacrifice, going against the easy route, choosing integrity and compassion daily, even when hard. That resonates across traditions as part of a meaningful life.
Speaker 1:So pursuing purpose and ethics is a common human drive.
Speaker 2:That seems to be the conclusion. The response section really emphasizes finding these shared foundations for a good life, fostering unity through these timeless truths.
Speaker 1:And they include that St Thomas Aquinas quote.
Speaker 2:Truth cannot contradict truth. Yeah, reinforcing that idea of underlying unity even in diverse expressions. It's a powerful note to end on.
Speaker 1:A reminder that core principles often connect us more than we realize.
Speaker 2:Definitely.
Speaker 1:Okay, so let's try and wrap this up, our deep dive into chapter 43 of the BFG handbook. We've really unpacked a lot.
Speaker 2:We have the power of gentleness, trust in the unseen, that wisdom of non-interference.
Speaker 1:The impact of our actions as silent teaching and that commitment to a higher, sometimes countercultural, path.
Speaker 2:And it's all presented within this unique Christian framework that draws from the Tao Te Ching. But, as we saw, these themes really do resonate much more broadly.
Speaker 1:Which is perhaps the most valuable takeaway these aren't just guidelines for one group, but potential common ground.
Speaker 2:Points of connection in a diverse world.
Speaker 1:So that leads us to our final thought. For you listening, just consider this world. So that leads us to our final thought. For you listening, just consider this how might consciously picking just one of these principles maybe humility or trust in the unseen, or non-action, or silent witness, or seeking that higher path how might focusing on just one actually shift your perspective or maybe your actions, even just in the next few days?
Speaker 2:And maybe think about how these ideas could act as bridges in your own interactions, helping you understand people with different views or backgrounds a bit better.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we hope this deep dive has given you a shortcut to understanding this chapter and maybe just maybe spark some further thought.