To dare and do not what one wills, but what is right,
To not float in what would be possible, but valiantly grasping what is real,
freedom is not in the flight of thoughts, but only in deeds.
Step out of fearful hesitancy into the storm of action, supported only by God’s commandment and your faith, and freedom will receive jubilantly your spirit.
Freedom is not wanting everything possible or having one’s thoughts in the clouds. Freedom is seizing what is possible. It is not right thoughts, good will, conviction or intention which matter; it is deeds. But not just any deeds. "To dare and do not what one wills, but what is right." What is right? Deeds which preserve life and foster justice and peace. Deeds which fit one of Bonhoeffer’s favorite sayings from the Gospel of John: "Whoever does the truth comes to the light" (3:21). Bonhoeffer did not think much of truths that remained only thoughts.
To not float in what would be possible, but valiantly grasping what is real,
freedom is not in the flight of thoughts, but only in deeds.
Step out of fearful hesitancy into the storm of action, supported only by God’s commandment and your faith, and freedom will receive jubilantly your spirit.
Freedom is not wanting everything possible or having one’s thoughts in the clouds. Freedom is seizing what is possible. It is not right thoughts, good will, conviction or intention which matter; it is deeds. But not just any deeds. "To dare and do not what one wills, but what is right." What is right? Deeds which preserve life and foster justice and peace. Deeds which fit one of Bonhoeffer’s favorite sayings from the Gospel of John: "Whoever does the truth comes to the light" (3:21). Bonhoeffer did not think much of truths that remained only thoughts.
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