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Story
Once, a monk went into the woods to seek Christ. He was exhausted, and he had not felt his Lord’s Presence for quite a long time. The monk could not understand this felt absence of his Beloved Lord. For, at one time in his life, he had seemed to walk in the glow of Christ’s love daily. So, the Abbot graciously gave the monk leave to spend time in the hermitage on the mountain and overlooking the monastery.
The monk got to the little hermitage. He, for several days, sought his Lord in fasting and prayer. However, he still felt alone and cut off from Christ.
Finally, the monk, frustrated with all his apparently failed efforts, decided to eat. He ceased fasting and ate a meal, even enjoying dessert, which he rarely did, and drank some wine. Then, he lay down to sleep as long as he wanted to. He had given up on feeling his Lord’s Presence.
When the monk laid himself on the bed to sleep, something happened which surprised him. At that moment, for the first time in months, he felt the presence of his Beloved Friend, Christ. He went to sleep, with a smile on his face and rejoicing in his heart.
Comments
Our efforts can hinder the manifestation of the Presence of Love. However, efforts can wear the ego self down, so that the spirit is open to the Spirit. Zeal must be tempered with openness that only comes from surrender. We cannot manifest the Presence of Love; our part is to remain open to Love manifesting within, through, and to us.
Reflection
Do you think your efforts sometime block the natural flow of Love?
What is the role of surrender in the spiritual Journey?
How does meditation teach surrender?
Spiritual Exercise
Keep spending at least twenty to thirty minutes daily in Silence, resting in the Lord of Love.
Make sure you have a sacred space in your home for time alone in prayer and spiritual reading.
Make sure you are in a covenant group. For more information on covenant groups, see the address below.
Consider, if you are not already, sponsoring a child through Compassion International. You can find out more about Compassion International by going to www.compassion.net to read about sponsoring, in the name of Jesus, children living in poverty. Thanks! Brian K. Wilcox
To contact Brian, write briankwilcox@comcast.net .
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