Impulse Control!

Shalom!

The January 2021 post (The World’s Deepest Yearnings) was a reflection about the nature of true unity, the desire that exists and grows in our world for unity, and the insufficiency of our man-made attempts to unity. In this post, I would like to continue with a reflection on the next sentences of paragraph 43 in Novo Millennio Ineunte:

“But what does this mean in practice? (To make the church the home and school of communion) Here too, our thoughts could run immediately to the action to be undertaken, but that would not be the right impulse to follow. Before making practical plans, we need to promote a spirituality of communion. . .”

In the last year, I’ve had quite a lot of interaction with various people who are fascinated with the different personality types, and how we can best work together. It is a very helpful study, and can bring a lot of understanding into situations. In all of this, it has become clear that I am a “do-er,” a promoter, someone who gets things done. If I see a problem, I try to find a solution. No wonder I always end up in project manager and administrative roles. In this light, then, I have to say that the above quote is quite a challenge for me. I believe I have a million great ideas/impulses, and the world would probably run smoother if people would just listen to me!

However, before this personality strength (oftentimes actually a weakness), I am first a person who wants to create harmony. I actually don’t like conflict, I really really want everyone to just get along. So, there is often this tug-of-war in me between my desire to get something done and my desire that everyone stays in unity. In fact, I would say that this desire for unity and harmony is actually a factor that keeps my “great ideas” – my impulses – in check.

I would venture to say that I’m not alone in this tug-of-war. Perhaps others can sympathize with this desire to see improvement vs the desire to “go along to get along.” We are surrounded by conflict in spite of our primordial desire for unity. Primordial because we are created in the image and likeness of God who is ONE. We seek communion, unity, fellowship – often landing in ideologies, philosophical/religious constructs, bad relationships, and all-or-nothing political systems. Our search is not wrong, in fact, our desire for this unity is very good, because unity is written in our very DNA!

In our search however, we often stop short of the goal, satisfied with some vague shadow or even a counterfeit version of unity – a quick-fix impulsive attempt. Even a well thought-out attempt devoid of God can fit this category, because true unity lies hidden in the heart of God, who is the author of unity. In fact, He IS unity. “Here, O Israel: The Lord our God is One, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength!” (Dt. 6:4-5)

Herein lies the secret of “promoting a spirituality of communion.” A spirituality of communion is first of all loving God who is unity with all my heart, soul, and strength. If all of my heart, soul, and strength are consumed in loving Him, no room exists for loving my ego, my ideas, or man-made substitutes for unity. Instead, if my heart, soul and strength are consumed in loving Him, then suddenly my person and my ideas are animated by Him. Then, and only then, we (God + me) can start making some plans! Then, and only then, can my impulses and my ideas be conformed and transformed into His perfect plan. Then, and only then, can the worldwide Body of Believers in Jesus begin to be the “home and school of communion.”

The night before He died, as recorded in John 17:20 – 21, Jesus prayed for His disciples and for all “those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you Father are in me, and I in you; that they may be one in us so that the world may believe you have sent me.” We are in this week of remembering the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He gave His life for us so that we can we one with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Take some time in this week to consider the incomprehensible price that He paid that we may be one. Let us not sell ourselves short or settle for some counterfeit unity. May we allow the Author and Origin of Unity – in fact, God who is One – to help us control our impulses and plans that we may be conformed to Him and His perfect plan for peace and unity.

St. Paul wrote, “Not that I have already attained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. . .(O)ne thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the upwards call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:12 – 14)

I pray you all have a very blessed Holy Week! Likewise I pray for all my Jewish brothers and sisters and wish you Chag Pesach Sameach!