Docility to the Spirit

The more responsive we are to the Holy Spirit the more he will work in us. One aspect of docility is the willingness and readiness to be taught, or guided. This is the desire to learn from God and to be formed and molded by his hands. It involves being open to the workings of God in one's life, and the willingness to cooperate with his grace and be malleable to the activities of the Holy Spirit. A second aspect is responsiveness. This involves reacting quickly and positively to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. This means being flexible and willing to put aside one's will, plans and desires, and to accept and do whatever is God's will. It involves taking action as one becomes aware of God's desires in order to carry out his will. The third aspect is obedience. This is compliance and submission to God's commands, requests or preferences. It is the desire to seek and conform oneself to the will of God at all times. Obedience has a negative connotation in our culture, but it is a virtue that Jesus himself practiced and taught. Obedience to our parents is part of the Commandment to honor thy father and mother. And obedience, along with chastity and poverty, make up the three evangelical counsels - the ways of perfection in the consecrated life. The different aspects overlap and complement one another to create a disposition in which God has free reign to inspire, create and empower. It is like the cultivated, fertile soil, which is ready for whatever seeds God wants to plant.