Page 133 - Built For God Handbook (Annotated and Explained Edition) - The Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching - The New Evangelization - Pope John Paul II

67

There is a vast difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge
involves learning specific facts about persons, events, or subjects. In
contrast, wisdom, the ability to comprehend the meaning and purpose of
events and life at a deeper level, is garnered mainly by mature reflection on
one’s experience of life and rarely obtained any other way.

Likewise, there is a vast difference between raw strength and true power.
Dominating and manipulating others happens when operating out of the
mindset that might is right. However, to make the challenging inner journey
into genuine self-awareness - to know one’s self, to humbly face one’s
defects of character, to pray for healing of them, and also accept one’s
qualities and assets – that is a more rare and true power.

One of the greatest gifts God has given to human beings is our free will –
God will not stop us or force us to do anything out of deep respect for our
humanity. Seeking to bring our wills in alignment with God’s will for us
brings priceless serenity and joy to our lives.

Those whose lives are grounded in a spiritual triad of faith, fellowship, and
self-awareness (faith in God’s love for us, honest and open relationships
with others, and humble awareness of one’s self), will live in the hope of
being reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with God in the
next.

b
a 2 Corinthians 13:5; Proverbs 24:3-7; Proverbs 2:6; 1 Corinthians 4:1-14;
e
d
c Philippians 4:11-13; Hebrews 11:24-31; Matthew 13:18-23;
f
Matthew 13:37-39; 1 Peter 1:23; Romans 7:4-13.