John Mark explores the difference between our work and God's work in our formation journey. Surrendering to God's leading and letting go of attachments helps us get unstuck spiritually. The podcast discusses detachment, the illusion of control, and the importance of internal solutions. It emphasizes the need for active and passive spirituality, meeting Jesus in our pain, and reflecting on our pain for growth and transformation.
Active and passive spirituality are both important and complementary in the process of spiritual formation.
Embracing pain and surrendering control are crucial aspects of passive spirituality, allowing God to work deeply in individuals' lives.
Deep dives
Active and Passive Spirituality
The podcast explores the concepts of active and passive spirituality. Active spirituality involves taking initiative and making efforts to grow in one's spiritual journey. It includes practices like prayer, reading scripture, and participating in community. On the other hand, passive spirituality involves surrendering control and accepting the circumstances and pain in one's life. It requires trusting in God's work and finding joy in the present moment. Both active and passive spirituality are important and complementary in the process of spiritual formation.
The Two Halves of Life
The podcast discusses the idea of the two halves of life, as mentioned in the conversation between Jesus and Peter. The first half of life is characterized by active verbs, where individuals take charge, make plans, and pursue their desires. However, as people age and progress in their spiritual journey, they experience a shift towards the second half of life, which involves passive verbs and a greater acceptance of God's leading. The second half of life is less about personal effort and more about embracing what God is doing in and through individuals, often through circumstances and pain.
Embracing Pain and Suffering
The podcast emphasizes the importance of embracing pain and suffering in the spiritual journey. It highlights that God often works through pain and uses it to transform individuals at deep levels of their being. Passive spirituality involves accepting the pain that is out of one's control and allowing God to work through it. This acceptance does not mean resignation or passivity, but rather an active posture of surrender and trust. Through embracing pain, individuals can experience freedom, forgiveness, and a deeper capacity to love.
Balancing Active and Passive Spirituality
The podcast explores the need for a balance between active and passive spirituality. While active spirituality involves personal effort and engaging in practices that foster growth, it is not sufficient on its own. Passive spirituality, which involves surrendering control and accepting God's work through pain and circumstances, is equally important. The podcast encourages listeners to embrace both dimensions of spiritual formation, recognizing that they complement each other and lead to a more profound transformation.
Do you ever feel stuck? John Mark speaks to the difference between our role and God's role in our formation journey, inviting us to embrace God's leading by letting go of attachments. He argues that surrender to God's work is a way to go beyond the surface level of our spiritual journey.
Key Scripture Passage: John 21v18-19
This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Tiffani from Oak Park, Illinois; Alex from Springfield, Missouri; City Life Church in Lansing, Michigan; Kay from Glendale, California; and Simon from Zürich, Switzerland.Thank you all so much!
If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.
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