Rooted in personal intimacy with God

Henri Nouwen sometimes wrote remarkable things.  Today I ran across this quote from his book "In the Name of Jesus."

"When we are securely rooted in personal intimacy with the source of life, it will be possible to remain flexible but not relativistic, convinced without being rigid, willing to confront without being offensive, gentle and forgiving without being soft, and true witnesses without being manipulative."

This really got me thinking

About leadership

About dealing with adversity

About being strong!

The key to being a child of God in this messed up creation has everything to do with personal intimacy with the source of life, God. More specifically, the Christ in us.  As we become intimate with that presence, then we find, and can become intimate with our true selves.  And then, and only then, can we function in the world in the way Nouwen describes.

I was thinking about the abused woman, who loves God, and wants to be God's person.  She has been taught, forever.  Give up your self.  Be a servant.  And now, as she seeks to find her true self she things it is wrong to stand up for herself.  Wrong to set boundaries.  It feels, harsh and unforgiving.  But with Christ, setting boundaries, holding firm the the self, not allowing another to erase her can involve being soft.  Without giving in once again to slavery to a one who is not God or Christ, but acts like he owns her.

I was thinking about those in power in Washington DC.  Imagine if you will, if they could have passion and power, without relativism and rigidity.  Would they, if they were securely rooted in personal intimacy with the source of life, be able to make decisions based on God's teachings, God's priorities, God's love, rather than political expediency, or a search for personal power?

I was thinking about the church.  And about how it would be if the leaders of the church did not have to pose, and did not focus on power and rules, and law, but instead were willing rest their leadership on personal intimacy with the source of life.  And were willing to be real.

The fact is, that historically, God has done God's best work when working through those who were not posers, but people who were aware, often painfully so of their own inadequacy.   As Brennan Manning would put it, "God works through the broken-hearted who know they don't have the courage to go on.  God works through the weak who know they don't have the strength to carry on. God works through the poor who know whatever it is, they can't buy it."

It all comes back to understanding it is all about God.  And what God can do, and will do.

So, for all those who are battered, abused, confused, struggling, weak, and yes, sinful.  This "grace" is for you.  Believe it!