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Built For Greatness
Order of God: BFG Handbook Chapter 36 (Strength in Weakness)
Discover the highlights of this chapter shaping the New Evangelization today: https://www.builtforgreatness.com/tao-te-ching-chapter-36-order-of-god/
Have you ever considered that our greatest strengths might emerge from moments of weakness? Or that the path to receiving abundance starts with giving freely? In our exploration of Chapter 36 from the BFG handbook, "The Order of God," we dive into paradoxical spiritual principles that challenge conventional wisdom about power, success, and spiritual growth.
The chapter presents statements that initially seem backward: what is shrunken must have first been expanded, what is weakened must have first been strengthened, what is received must have first been given. These paradoxes, connected to various scriptures, reveal profound truths about how God often works in ways contrary to worldly wisdom. We unpack how Jesus's teachings consistently valued humility over pride, gentleness over force, and how divine strength is often made perfect in human weakness.
What makes this conversation particularly fascinating is the Renewal Framework we examine, which transforms abstract principles into practical applications. For each paradoxical truth, we explore specific mindsets to cultivate, aims to pursue, and daily practices that bring these principles to life. Whether it's viewing struggles as opportunities for growth, practicing genuine humility, giving without expectation, creating space for stillness, choosing gentleness in conflict, or trusting divine timing - these approaches offer a radically different way to navigate life's challenges.
Perhaps most compelling is discovering how these same principles echo across diverse spiritual traditions. The core wisdom that emerges from Christianity finds remarkable parallels in Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism - suggesting these paradoxical truths reflect something fundamental about spiritual growth across all human experience. Listen as we connect ancient wisdom to contemporary challenges and consider how taking what seems like a "backward approach" might actually be the key to unlocking new possibilities in your own spiritual journey.
Okay, so you've brought us some really interesting stuff. This time we're going to be looking at chapter 36 from the BFG handbook, the Order of God, and then you've got your own sort of framework built around that renewal mindset, aim and practice, yeah, and then like how all of that then kind of echoes across all these different spiritual traditions. You know what I think is so interesting about these sources? They really do weave together all these different layers. We've got like the Christian teachings, obviously through the lens of the BFG handbook, which is kind of a unique perspective. And then there's like this whole, you know, self-help, self-development angle, which is very practical. And then we zoom out and look at the commonalities with all these other faiths. Kind of cool how it all works together.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I like that. So hopefully by the end of this we can offer some really practical insights for the listener.
Speaker 1:Awesome. Okay, so let's just jump right. In Chapter 36, order of God, it hits us with these statements that seem well kind of backwards. You know, what is shrunken must have first been expanded, what is weakened must have first been strengthened, what is cast down must have first been exalted, what is received must have first been given. I mean it's like, oh, what's going on here? It is.
Speaker 2:It's like a riddle almost. Yeah, you know it's playing with their expectations.
Speaker 2:It's meant to make you think yeah which is exactly what paradoxes do, right, they kind of force us to go beyond our normal way of looking at things. And what's really cool is the chapter links each of these paradoxical statements to a specific scripture. So there are these hints about a deeper meaning. For instance, you know, one of them points to first Peter, and that whole passage is talking about how all the stuff we see in this world it's temporary, it fades, but God's word that lasts forever. And I think that ties in really well with the shrunken and expanded thing. Right, because it's saying that before something can appear small or weak or whatever, it has to have had some kind of original fullness, a kind of strength that maybe we don't always see.
Speaker 2:Yeah, okay, I see what you mean, it's like the foundation is there, but then there are these moments, these seasons, where it looks like things are shrinking or getting weaker. But really it's just part of a bigger process.
Speaker 1:So it's not really about things literally getting bigger and then smaller. It's about the underlying strength.
Speaker 2:Exactly which?
Speaker 1:might not always be visible.
Speaker 2:Right Like, for instance, there's another line that connects to Galatians 6.1. You know that part where it talks about gently restoring someone who's fallen. Well, the implication there is that this person, whoever it is, they were strong at some point, but now they need help. So again, there's this idea of strength coming first, but it's not static, it's not always obvious.
Speaker 1:Interesting. And then it says the gentle and yielding overcome the hard and forceful that kind of challenges how we normally think about strength and power.
Speaker 2:It really does. It's like our instinct is to think that the loudest, most aggressive person wins, but this chapter is saying something totally different. It's about a different kind of strength, one that doesn't rely on force.
Speaker 1:And the chapter connects this to two different passages in Corinthians right.
Speaker 2:Yes, exactly In 2 Corinthians it refers to the verse where Paul says that God's power is made perfect in weakness. And then in 1 Corinthians, it's that idea that God uses the weak things to shame the strong. There's this recurring theme of unexpected strength. Things that the world might see as weak or unimportant. Those are often things that God uses to accomplish his purpose.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that makes sense.
Speaker 2:It's a powerful message and I think it challenges us to reevaluate where true power really comes from.
Speaker 1:Yeah for sure. Then there's that line just as fish cannot leave deep waters, so too the inner workings of the heavenly kingdom cannot be revealed to the people.
Speaker 2:Ah, yes.
Speaker 1:That one feels pretty mysterious.
Speaker 2:It is, isn't it? It's like a glimpse into something that's beyond our full understanding. Yeah, the chapter connected to Matthew, that part where Jesus talks about how wisdom is hidden from the wise but revealed to little children. And I think that's the key here, this idea that maybe, maybe you can't just force your way into understanding the kingdom. It's not about intellectual power or figuring things out with your mind. Maybe it's about approaching things with humility, with a childlike openness.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like a sense of wonder and trust.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:So these are, like the core principles, really interesting, but how do we actually live them out?
Speaker 2:Well, that's where the renewal framework comes in. It takes each of those principles and breaks it down into mindset, aim and practice.
Speaker 1:Okay, I like that. Let's start with the first one expansion before contraction. The mindset here is to view moments of weakness as opportunities for growth right. That seems counterintuitive. Right Like when I'm feeling weak, my instinct is definitely not to think oh great a chance to grow.
Speaker 2:It's understandable to feel that way. We naturally want to avoid pain and discomfort. But when we think back to what we were talking about earlier, that idea that apparent weakness often comes after a period of strength starts to make more sense. Okay, like? The explanation here points out that God often uses those times of struggle, of testing, find us and make our faith stronger. It even mentions how Jesus himself faced incredible trials and through those he was ultimately glorified. So it's not about pretending that hardship is fun. It's about recognizing that it can actually be a source of growth, a way for God's power to be displayed in our lives. So the practical application here is that when those tough times come, we need to resist the temptation to just give in to discouragement or despair. Instead, we can ask ourselves you know, what is God trying to teach me through this? How can I let my weakness become an opportunity for him to work?
Speaker 1:So like shifting from woe is me. Why is this happening to okay? What can I learn from this?
Speaker 2:Exactly, it's about embracing that growth mindset.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And there's a great scripture in 2 Corinthians that really speaks to this my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Speaker 1:I like that, yeah, okay. Next up is elevation before humiliation.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:The mindset here is to cultivate humility, even when we're experiencing success, understanding that life has its ups and downs.
Speaker 2:Right, it's that cyclical pattern we were talking about before.
Speaker 1:Yeah, the explanation here uses the example of Jesus's crucifixion to illustrate this point. Right, so the aim is to practice humility, not in a self-deprecating way, but with the understanding that true honor comes from God and that seeking praise or recognition for ourselves is kind of missing the point.
Speaker 2:It is, and the practical application of this is super interesting. It suggests we focus on serving others like genuinely serving, without needing any kind of acknowledgement or reward.
Speaker 1:Okay, yeah, I see that.
Speaker 2:And there's a verse in James that says humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up. That really encapsulates this principle, don't you think?
Speaker 1:It does, yeah, and the next principle is receiving after giving. This one talks about adopting a mindset of generosity, recognizing that everything we have is a gift and the aim is to, like, really give without expecting anything in return, just trusting that God will provide.
Speaker 2:It's about letting go of that scarcity mindset, that feeling that there's not enough to go around.
Speaker 1:Right, yeah.
Speaker 2:It's about recognizing that true abundance comes from a place of sharing and giving freely.
Speaker 1:Okay, and then the practice is to actively give our time, our resources, even just our love and attention, without keeping score.
Speaker 2:Right. It's not about what you get back. It's about the joy of giving itself.
Speaker 1:That verse in Luke give, and it will be given to you. It really drives this home, doesn't it?
Speaker 2:It does. It's like this universal law of reciprocity.
Speaker 1:Okay. The next one is subtle perception of the divine.
Speaker 2:The mindset is to be attentive to cultivate stillness and to seek God's guidings in those quiet moments. This one is so important, especially in today's world where everything is so loud and fast-paced, easy to get caught up in all the noise and distractions that we lose sight of what truly matters easy to get caught up in all the noise and distractions that we lose sight of what truly matters.
Speaker 1:So the aim here is to develop spiritual discernment, to be able to recognize God's hand at work even in the smallest details.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and you know, we often look for those huge signs and wonders, Right? But the truth is, god is often working in those subtle, quiet ways that we might miss if we're not paying attention. And so the practice is to create those spaces in our lives for reflection, to set aside time for prayer, for meditation, for simply being still and listening. There's that beautiful image in First Kings of God's speaking in a still small voice.
Speaker 1:I love that. It really speaks to the importance of carving out those quiet spaces to really tune into that deeper wisdom. Exactly All right. Next, we have the power of the gentle and yielding. The mindset here is to embrace gentleness, to trust in God's strength, rather than feeling like we need to be in control all the time.
Speaker 2:It's about recognizing that true strength often looks different than we might expect. It's not about pushing our way through or dominating others.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:It's about surrendering our ego, our need to be right, and allowing God to work through us.
Speaker 1:So the aim is to approach life with that same kind of gentleness.
Speaker 2:Yes, and it's not about being passive or weak. It's about understanding that yielding, choosing to respond with gentleness rather than force, can actually be the most powerful way to navigate conflict and challenges.
Speaker 1:Okay, yeah, that makes sense, and in practice, this means choosing gentleness even when it's hard, letting go of the need to control every situation.
Speaker 2:Right, it's about choosing peace over proving a point.
Speaker 1:And the beatitude blessed are. The meek really stands out here.
Speaker 2:It really does. It's such a radical statement, isn't it? Because it's completely countercultural? It is, but it speaks to this deeper truth about where true power lies.
Speaker 1:Okay, and the final principle in this renewal framework is hidden nature of the kingdom of God.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:The mindset here is to accept that we don't always see the full picture and to trust in God's plan even when things don't make sense.
Speaker 2:It's about letting go of the need to have all the answers, being okay with the mystery because, let's face it, we're not always going to understand why things happen the way they do.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And that he's working everything out for good.
Speaker 1:I see that.
Speaker 2:So the aim is to trust in God's timing, to be patient, to have faith that even though we can't see it, his kingdom is coming, yes, and that requires a lot of surrender, doesn't it?
Speaker 1:It does.
Speaker 2:But it's in that surrender that we find true peace.
Speaker 1:Okay, and then the practice is just to be faithful in the small things, to live each day with hope and trust, knowing that, even though we can't see it, god is at work.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and that passage in Matthew about the mysteries of the kingdom being revealed to some and not to others, I think that really speaks to this. It's saying that sometimes we're just not meant to know everything and that's okay.
Speaker 1:That's okay. What I find so fascinating is that these principles, which we've been looking at through a primarily Christian lens, they're actually echoed in other spiritual traditions as well.
Speaker 2:That's what's so powerful about this respond section.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it really highlights the universality of these truths yeah, exactly like with growth through struggle, god using those weak moments to make us stronger. Buddhism talks about overcoming suffering to reach enlightenment right islam says that allah strengthens believers through trials, and hinduism has that whole principle of growth arising from adversity, which leads leads to resilience. It's so interesting how, despite their differences, all these traditions point to that same basic idea that challenges and hardships can make us stronger.
Speaker 2:It is, and it makes sense, right? Like as humans, we're designed to grow and adapt.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And often it's those difficult experiences that force us to dig deep and find that inner strength we didn't even know we had.
Speaker 1:And then, with humility's reward, you've got Christianity talking about how humbling yourself leads to being lifted up, islam like highlighting the Prophet Muhammad's humility and forgiveness, and Hinduism seeing humility as this vital part of devotion. It's like no matter what your beliefs are, humility is this crucial ingredient for spiritual growth.
Speaker 2:It really is. It's like when we let go of our ego, when we stop needing to be the center of attention. That's when we can really start to learn and grow.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that makes sense and generosity is a foundation. This whole idea that you need to give before you can receive. It pops up everywhere. Christianity obviously, it is more blessed to give than to receive. And then you've got Buddhism. Islam, seva the idea of selfless giving and Hinduism. It's like this universal principle offering yourself, offering your resources, not holding back it's like that creates a flow of abundance.
Speaker 2:I think you're absolutely right. It's not just about material things either. It's about giving your time, your skills, your love creates this ripple effect. Not only does it bless the person we're giving to, but it also changes us.
Speaker 1:Right. It opens us up to receive more.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Okay, how about discernment over desperation?
Speaker 2:Ah yes, so in Christianity there's a big emphasis on stillness and seeking God's wisdom. In the quiet Buddhism you've got mindfulness, which is really about paying attention to the present moment. Islam emphasizes seeking Allah's guidance in prayer, and Hinduism, meditation is key for finding inner guidance. It's all about tapping into that inner wisdom.
Speaker 1:And it's so easy to get caught up in those moments of panic, to make decisions from a place of fear or desperation.
Speaker 2:But all of these traditions are saying wait take a breath, listen Exactly, and that's not always easy. But it is so important because when we can quiet those anxious thoughts, when we can tune into that deeper wisdom, it helps us to make much better decisions in our lives.
Speaker 1:Totally agree. And then there's power and gentleness. We talked about the Beatitudes from Christianity. Blessed are the meek. Then in Buddhism, there's such a strong emphasis on nonviolence. In Islam, gentleness is seen as a way to overcome harshness, and Hinduism has a principle of non-harming.
Speaker 2:Yeah, this idea that true strength lies in kindness, in compassion, in understanding, and I think it's really challenging for us in this world. You know, we're so often taught that you have to be tough, you have to be aggressive to get ahead. But I think what all these traditions are saying is that there's a more powerful way, a more effective way.
Speaker 1:Ultimately, Right, because that kind of harshness it tends to create more conflict, more resistance.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Okay. And the last one is trust in divine timing. So Christianity talks about God's ways being higher than our ways. In Buddhism you have this gradual path to enlightenment. Islam emphasizes trusting in Allah's plan, and in Hinduism there's that whole law of karma, which is about cause and effect. You know, things unfolding over time, and the common thread here is that we need to be patient, to trust that things will work out in their own time, even if we don't see it right away.
Speaker 2:And it's hard, isn't it? We want immediate gratification, but these traditions are reminding us that life, especially spiritual growth, it doesn't always work that way, and I think that's where faith comes in. It's about trusting that, even when we can't see it, there's a bigger plan unfolding and, ultimately, I think that's where true peace comes from.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it does sound very peaceful actually. So, for the listener who's been following along with us in this deep dive, what are the most important takeaways you want them to remember?
Speaker 2:Well, I think the key idea here is that spiritual growth isn't always logical, or at least it doesn't always follow the logic that we're used to. You know, we've seen how apparent weakness can be a pathway to strength, how humility can lead to true exaltation, how giving freely opens the door to receiving even more, freely opens the door to receiving even more, and the renewal framework. I think that's super helpful because it gives us a concrete way to put these principles into practice. Like it gives us those specific mindsets, aims and practices to focus on each day. And then seeing how these ideas are reflected in all these different spiritual traditions, I think that's incredibly encouraging because it shows that we're not alone in this journey. All walks of life, from all different backgrounds, they've grappled with these same questions, these same struggles, and they found wisdom and guidance in these principles.
Speaker 1:I like that. It creates a sense of like universal connection.
Speaker 2:It does yeah.
Speaker 1:Okay. So for you, the listener, here's something to think about as we wrap things up. Where in your life might it actually be helpful to take what seems like a backward approach? You know, what if? Leaning into weakness or giving without any expectation of return? What if that's actually the key to unlocking something new, something better? I think it's worth reflecting on. Just notice those subtle ways the order of God, as this chapter calls it, is at work in your everyday experiences.
Speaker 2:And hey, if you're interested in digging deeper, I definitely encourage you to go back and read those source materials again. Check out those scriptures that we referenced, explore some of those other wisdom traditions from the response section. There's so much to learn and discover.
Speaker 1:Awesome. Well, thanks for bringing us this material today. It's been a really thought-provoking deep dive.
Speaker 2:My pleasure, always happy to be here.