“Be . . . as innocent as doves.”- Matthew 10:16
“What the world needs is not simply isolated outward deeds but transformed character from within.”- John Ortberg
John Ortberg concludes Chapter 6 of All the Places to Go by discussing the final dimension of wholehearted threshold crossing: “Be . . . innocent as doves.” Pastor Ortberg observes that doves are to the bird world what sheep are to the animal world. Doves are considered quite innocent.
John emphasizes that we must allow God to work on our character. The main thing we take into the world is who we are, not the things we do. The author reports that when author and teacher Brennan Manning was ordained a priest, he was given this blessing, focusing on the innocence of a child:
“May your expectations all be frustrated,
May all your plans be thwarted,
May all of your desires be withered into nothingness,
That you may experience the powerlessness and poverty of a child and can sing and dance in the love of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
Pastor Ortberg notes that on the third day Jesus went through the final open door that led to death’s defeat and the triumph of hope. While none of the Gospel writer recorded how Jesus crossed that threshold, John believes Jesus didn’t limp or trudge wearily. John thinks Jesus hopped, and may be hopping still!
Today’s question: Following your vocation loss, how is your character being transformed from within? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The truth about you”