Respiration Illustration

I loved this idea from Can You Hear Me?: Tuning in to the God who speaks by Brad Jersak. Here's an excerpt from the book:

"...the disciple inhales the fullness of the Spirit in contemplative prayer
then exhales justice and mercy into the community....

Inhale and be filled.

Exhale and be merciful.

Inhale and be purified.

Exhale and bring justice.

Inhale and receive peace.

Exhale and be peacemakers.

Inhale and be illumined.

Exhale and be light.

Spirituality that only inhales is nothing more than pietism.
It become bloated and useless (salt that loses its savor). Listening
prayer that does not lead to a lifestyle of compassion can actually lead to
the sin of Sodom: "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her
daughters were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned;

they did not help the poor and needy" (Ezekiel 16:49).

On the other hand, the activist who only exhales

becomes winded, burned out, or bitter (no longer pure in heart).
Activism that is not rooted in listening prayer becomes ineffective
and even dangerous if it leads to the fundamentalist terrorism of the
zealots.

In the beatitudes, Jesus teaches us how to breathe properly.

He shows us both inner and outer spirituality -

contemplation and social action, mysticism and mercy.

Retreat to the mountain, the heart, or the throne room.

Then return to the city, the crowds, and the lepers."