|
What is the drinking, in order to quench this thirst and overflow with this Meaning? We call these Means of Grace. Through the signs of Communal Worship, Nature, Relationship, Silence, Solitude, Meditation, Retreat, Service, Intercession, … we drink. Only through an active choice to engage Practice do we find our deeper thirst satisfied to the point of overflowing to influence the world we live in. Dehydrated devotees have little to give the world. We must stay sated with this Water of Life.
Where do we go to discover these Means of Grace? One primary resource is the history of the tradition in which we seek God. Another resource is a Spiritual Director or Teacher, who can share practices, guide, encourage, and help us find what best works for us each.
Where, or when, do we begin this search? We, each, in some way begin at different places, at different times. However, the general point of departure for those who begin a devoted, daily, and serious Spiritual Quest, beyond conventional religion, is when she realizes all she has used to quench her thirst has failed to do so. Even conventional religion or rebellion against conventional religion has failed to give the Love she longs to receive, overflow with, and share with others. Then, she actively surrenders, choosing to participate in the Means to live a life that leads beyond the temporary satisfactions into the depths of True Love and Satisfaction.
|
