We list people throughout history who were change agents and remarkable for their perseverance. People such as Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, Dorothy Day, and Jimmy Carter drew their strength from a place which the opposition could not touch. Each knew the value of daily remembering their limits and their True Self, contemplating the Truth, and reaffirming their solid connection with the Good.
They were not obsessed with winning, dominating others, or owning the world but viewed themselves as members of a Body so great that the opposition could not overcome it. We too can access spiritual energy for body, mind, and spirit to sustain against burn-out and discouragement from setbacks in the on-going confrontation with evil.
Energy for the Long Term
Sustainable means outlasting empires which sustain themselves only until their material resources run out and people die. That can be a long time — longer than a single lifetime. Our choice to develop the world for Good is participation in the infinite, on-going Creation. We act in the present from the energy generated by the Spirit within us that flows out through our minds and bodies in word and deed contributions to long term creation. This is cosmic!
The opposition seeks to wear us down, tire us out and cause us to throw up our hands in the face of their constant barrage of destructive words and acts. We cannot sustain our resistance on sheer “will power”, zeal, or physical energy alone. We must respond from the spiritual nature that is superior to materialistic attack and pressures.
Paul the Terrorist
The Apostle Paul first became famous as an agent of the opposition wiping out followers of Christ who were running and hiding from deadly, government sanctioned persecution. He was a first century terrorist. But he experienced a spiritual awakening which opened his eyes to the Truth and Goodness of Jesus. He turned around and became a tireless agent of change in a hostile world by building up communities of faith. Having worked the terrorist side, he knew the value of awakening spiritual resilience of the victims who, in turn, attracted more believers.
Paul’s writings are full of wisdom for our own day of persecution and oppression. How does he recommend we run the long marathon of building the world of Goodness? I highlight parts of just two of his letters encouraging communities under fire for being different.
In his letter to the Colossians, he writes (chapter 3)
… seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
God is not far off above the clouds but close as the spiritual nature in which we exist. We can seek and attune ourselves to the spiritual, which many ignore. Christ is here but not owned and operated by religious institutions. We are not the property of some dominant man or corporation. Taking initiative to realize our spiritual nature frees us to generate goodness in the world.
Joy in Hardship
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes (chapter 4)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be made known to all people. The Lord is near.
When we remember that God is not far off, nor is some debatable entity, but is present and active in our reality, we will have a secure, positive attitude. This manifests as the joy of life, a demeanor which seems odd to those who remain detached from spirituality. This joy in the midst of hard circumstances has been notable in many historic change agents and in many laboring for the common good today. Rather than ranting angrily, fear mongering and inciting mob violence, they encourage optimism, bridge divisions, and create imaginative solutions to society’s problems.
Paul continues
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Not that God must be informed, for God is in all our details. But both individually and corporately choosing to turn our attention to the Spirit relaxes our defenses against the mystery of God and true participation in creation. When the troubles of the world weigh upon us we commune with and trust God to inspire our imaginations for wise actions working on these complex matters.
Paul says the result is
the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Though we are called to apply our gifts of intellect, the Spirit is greater, more all-encompassing, and so empowers us with calm confidence and courage. This is the source of the capacity to respond to evil and oppression authentically and effectively.
Our Mental Health
Paul then lists things for our thought life and good mental health:
whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are pleasing, whatever things are commendable, if there is any excellence of character and if anything praiseworthy, think about these things.
I encourage all of us to daily commune with the Spirit. In those times we acknowledge our limits and receive renewal of our participation in Creation beyond any temporary empire. The energy and wisdom we receive will empower and sustain our positive life together.
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