We are carried through life, and sometimes driven through it, by our human nature. It is impossible to make the journey without it.
‘We are only human’, is often heard as an explanation for our sometimes questionable behaviour and as an excuse when that behaviour falls below the level generally agreed to be the limit of acceptability. But however varied the details of our lives, in whatever area you may wish to consider: health, strength, prosperity, responsibility, freedom, and so on, our nature does take us along life’s course in a way that proclaims an underlying similarity in all our stories. After all, it is not that we are “only” human but that we do indeed share the same nature: we are all human. Our instincts and our basic needs are generally very much alike, but as we mature, and as we begin to carve out and occupy our own niche within the world, our different levels of competence, success, responsibility and income begin to take over in a ready response to the way the world generally sees the people within it.
How different the demands of our spiritual nature. Our natural and supernatural needs can pull us in opposite directions, each having the potential to become an annoyance and a frustration in the attempted satisfaction of the other.
Our search for stability, and our longing for some form of certainty in the fragile balancing of belief and disbelief has left us floundering at times, and having now found ourselves within reach of a door for which we had searched but could not find, we are either bowled along with a sudden surge of joy or we slowly and nervously try to approach in fear of its sudden disappearance; our joy trying to burst forth but suppressed while we attempt to confirm within ourselves that it is real.
‘We are only human’, is often heard as an explanation for our sometimes questionable behaviour and as an excuse when that behaviour falls below the level generally agreed to be the limit of acceptability. But however varied the details of our lives, in whatever area you may wish to consider: health, strength, prosperity, responsibility, freedom, and so on, our nature does take us along life’s course in a way that proclaims an underlying similarity in all our stories. After all, it is not that we are “only” human but that we do indeed share the same nature: we are all human. Our instincts and our basic needs are generally very much alike, but as we mature, and as we begin to carve out and occupy our own niche within the world, our different levels of competence, success, responsibility and income begin to take over in a ready response to the way the world generally sees the people within it.
How different the demands of our spiritual nature. Our natural and supernatural needs can pull us in opposite directions, each having the potential to become an annoyance and a frustration in the attempted satisfaction of the other.
Our search for stability, and our longing for some form of certainty in the fragile balancing of belief and disbelief has left us floundering at times, and having now found ourselves within reach of a door for which we had searched but could not find, we are either bowled along with a sudden surge of joy or we slowly and nervously try to approach in fear of its sudden disappearance; our joy trying to burst forth but suppressed while we attempt to confirm within ourselves that it is real.
We had never thought beyond the finding of the door, but without having made any attempt to imagine its discovery – we could not have known where to begin - we had in some way anticipated a process of unknown length that would eventually lead to its being unlocked for us. But here it is, and it is already ajar; we had not been prepared for that, or so we feel. We had not expected it to be open before us but something in the days, weeks, months and even the years leading us to this particular point in our lives had indeed been preparing us for this time; we had been prepared without knowing it, and now that we have arrived here we still fail to recognize that truth because the experience has taken us beyond all that we were capable of imagining or anticipating.
We are once again, as it were, brought to the very edge, and despite the significance of the place (whether real or imagined), we are further reminded of three important truths (10.3.07 post).
- The edge itself is of no importance, as that which we seek is always beyond.
- Each small approach brings utterly new changes to our awareness and understanding.
- Despite our apparently rapid advance, the possibility of finding all answers and of seeing God face to face remains far from us.
Somehow we must break through the attraction of our experience and learn that we are once again merely climbing a tree to get a closer look at what lies beyond Earth’s limits.
Breaking away from that attraction can be very difficult, as the wonder irreversibly linked with our new-found proximity to the door keeps us wrapped in a cosy glow that is the reflection of light and love. These sensations hold as tightly as the memory of any experience of the presence of God, and become just as difficult to leave behind. This in itself should tell us that we are wandering from the right road, as we find ourselves placing the same degree of importance and reliance on feelings with no substance behind them as we do on the undeniable awareness of Christ’s presence. We are distracted by our feelings, and the outcome can easily degenerate into immobility and stagnation while we wallow in the sensation itself, or wait for whatever else those feelings may bring.
Our place in the world, with family, work, joy and grief, with everything that goes into the making of our intricate latticework of relationships and living, is ever pulling us back from any half-hearted attempt to stop and think about something outside its usual range. It is a constant attraction and it demands attention. That is why we have to make a conscious effort to break away from it when we are drawn to look more deeply into our spiritual needs. We cannot progress with our first inner questions, and with wondering what it is that begins to attract us, without stopping in our worldly routine and brushing all other thoughts aside. One single minute of focussed pondering, or even of emptying the mind of its usual themes without any conscious thought on anything different, is all that it takes to begin the ongoing and expanding process of spiritual discovery. We must give our own minds space in which to think, and allow our hearts to feel. Once begun, these small oases in our daily routines will become of increasing importance to us, and as we walk the new paths as they are revealed, we shall be drawn into prayer, and that is the start of a more intimate relationship with God.
- The edge itself is of no importance, as that which we seek is always beyond.
- Each small approach brings utterly new changes to our awareness and understanding.
- Despite our apparently rapid advance, the possibility of finding all answers and of seeing God face to face remains far from us.
Somehow we must break through the attraction of our experience and learn that we are once again merely climbing a tree to get a closer look at what lies beyond Earth’s limits.
Breaking away from that attraction can be very difficult, as the wonder irreversibly linked with our new-found proximity to the door keeps us wrapped in a cosy glow that is the reflection of light and love. These sensations hold as tightly as the memory of any experience of the presence of God, and become just as difficult to leave behind. This in itself should tell us that we are wandering from the right road, as we find ourselves placing the same degree of importance and reliance on feelings with no substance behind them as we do on the undeniable awareness of Christ’s presence. We are distracted by our feelings, and the outcome can easily degenerate into immobility and stagnation while we wallow in the sensation itself, or wait for whatever else those feelings may bring.
Our place in the world, with family, work, joy and grief, with everything that goes into the making of our intricate latticework of relationships and living, is ever pulling us back from any half-hearted attempt to stop and think about something outside its usual range. It is a constant attraction and it demands attention. That is why we have to make a conscious effort to break away from it when we are drawn to look more deeply into our spiritual needs. We cannot progress with our first inner questions, and with wondering what it is that begins to attract us, without stopping in our worldly routine and brushing all other thoughts aside. One single minute of focussed pondering, or even of emptying the mind of its usual themes without any conscious thought on anything different, is all that it takes to begin the ongoing and expanding process of spiritual discovery. We must give our own minds space in which to think, and allow our hearts to feel. Once begun, these small oases in our daily routines will become of increasing importance to us, and as we walk the new paths as they are revealed, we shall be drawn into prayer, and that is the start of a more intimate relationship with God.
‘Indeed, were anyone perfect among the sons of men,
if he lacked the Wisdom that comes from you,
he would still count for nothing.’ (Wisdom 9:6)
This morning was beautiful: the sort of summer morn we have had so very few of this year. It brought me out for a slow stroll around the garden, with unplanned and uncontrolled thoughts drifting in and out of my awareness of the sights and sounds around me.
I was recently asked to give thought to a particular aspect of making Christ known to others, and have devoted time and effort to putting my thoughts on paper in a written response. Having completed that task I felt the need to find something to post here as the days are slipping quietly and quickly away. During my stroll it struck me that all such things can become a form of idolatry: they are seen as of far greater importance than they actually are, and I have certainly found myself, at times, without any awareness that I am giving no attention to my relationship with my greatest and most faithful friend, Jesus. I have been spending so little quality time in His company, in prayer, and in reading the Bible, that anyone able to record my thoughts would believe I did not have an ongoing relationship with Him.
I have been happily buried in “good” thoughts, believed to be of value and all directly linked to Christianity and my faith, but they have all turned into distraction; I have been drawn too far away from the very thing I need most, which feeds and strengthens me, gradually maturing me in ways no amount of reading and writing and thinking can achieve on their own.
Looking back at the house from the far end of the garden, I realized I had again grown too comfortable with the inner hearth of home, and with the feelings of security and certainty that enable me to feel fulfilled while the days slip away without my actually achieving anything. It came as quite a jolt to see that I had wandered so far without knowing it. The reawakened awareness has brought a longing to stand at the very edge once more; to breathe deeply there in readiness for whatever may be revealed.
‘We may be capable of writing or giving a brilliant conference, the fruit of reflection and meditation. Thus we could happily spend our prayer time with thoughts and the time would pass pleasantly. After all they are thoughts about God! But if we are under the influence of the mystical action of God our inmost heart will tell us that, for us, this sort of mental activity at prayer is a distraction and an infidelity. It is quite incapable of nourishing our being. It merely occupies us and gives an illusory sense that we have passed the time well, achieved something.’ (Guidelines for Mystical Prayer. Ruth Burrows.)
I was recently asked to give thought to a particular aspect of making Christ known to others, and have devoted time and effort to putting my thoughts on paper in a written response. Having completed that task I felt the need to find something to post here as the days are slipping quietly and quickly away. During my stroll it struck me that all such things can become a form of idolatry: they are seen as of far greater importance than they actually are, and I have certainly found myself, at times, without any awareness that I am giving no attention to my relationship with my greatest and most faithful friend, Jesus. I have been spending so little quality time in His company, in prayer, and in reading the Bible, that anyone able to record my thoughts would believe I did not have an ongoing relationship with Him.
I have been happily buried in “good” thoughts, believed to be of value and all directly linked to Christianity and my faith, but they have all turned into distraction; I have been drawn too far away from the very thing I need most, which feeds and strengthens me, gradually maturing me in ways no amount of reading and writing and thinking can achieve on their own.
Looking back at the house from the far end of the garden, I realized I had again grown too comfortable with the inner hearth of home, and with the feelings of security and certainty that enable me to feel fulfilled while the days slip away without my actually achieving anything. It came as quite a jolt to see that I had wandered so far without knowing it. The reawakened awareness has brought a longing to stand at the very edge once more; to breathe deeply there in readiness for whatever may be revealed.
‘We may be capable of writing or giving a brilliant conference, the fruit of reflection and meditation. Thus we could happily spend our prayer time with thoughts and the time would pass pleasantly. After all they are thoughts about God! But if we are under the influence of the mystical action of God our inmost heart will tell us that, for us, this sort of mental activity at prayer is a distraction and an infidelity. It is quite incapable of nourishing our being. It merely occupies us and gives an illusory sense that we have passed the time well, achieved something.’ (Guidelines for Mystical Prayer. Ruth Burrows.)
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