Work Gently
Everything is possible for those who believe, even more for those who hope, still more for those who love, and most of all for those who practice and persevere in these three powerful paths.
—Brother Lawrence, Practice of the Presence
Brother Lawrence wrote down a short list of spiritual maxims or suggestions for the spiritual life that were published after his death. They included the reminder that “everything is possible” and to remain “humble and authentic.” CAC core faculty member Carmen Acevedo Butcher offers a modern translation of his instruction to “work gently”:
The most sacred, most ordinary, and most necessary practice in the spiritual life is the presence of God. When we practice the presence, we enjoy and become familiar with God’s divine company, speaking humbly and looking to them [1] lovingly for support all the time, at every moment, without methods or limits, especially during times of temptation, pain, loneliness, exhaustion, and even disbelief and stumbling….
We do all actions deliberately and thoughtfully, without being rash or rushed (which are signs of an untrained mind). We work gently and in love with God, asking them to accept our work. By our ongoing attention to God, we will break the cycle of harmfulness, and make all weapons fall.
During our work and other activities, even during our reading and writing, no matter how spiritual, … we must stop for a brief moment, as often as we can, to love God deep in our heart, to savor them, even though this is brief and in secret. Since you are aware that God is present before you during your actions, that they are in the deep center of your soul, why not stop your activities and even your vocal prayers, at least from time to time, to love God, praise them, ask for their help, offer them your heart, and thank them?…
Ultimately, we can offer God no greater evidence of our faithfulness than by frequently detaching and turning from all things created so we can enjoy their Creator for a single moment. I don’t mean to give the impression, though, that you should stop working or abandon your duties. That would be impossible. Wisdom, the mother of all our spiritual strengths, will be your guide. I am saying, however, that it is a common oversight among spiritually minded people not to turn from outside engagements from time to time to worship God within ourselves and enjoy in peace some small moments of their divine presence.
This practice begins with a faith that God is truly present in all times and circumstances:
All this reverence must be done by faith, believing God is really living in our hearts, and we must honor, love, and serve them in spirit and in truth…. Infinitely excellent and with sovereign power, they deserve all that we are, and everything in heaven and on earth, now and through eternity. All our thoughts, words, and actions belong rightly to God. Let’s put this into practice.
| Learning from the Mystics: George MacDonald |
| Quote of the Week: “The mind of many is not the mind of God.” Reflection Although this is such a short statement from MacDonald, it is a striking one. Did he say this as an observation or as a lament? Philippians 2:5 tells us to have the same mind as Christ, not the same mind as the authors who wrote the Bible… and yes, there is a difference. At no point during Jesus’ earthy ministry did he quote Joshua, Judges, or other violent passages of the Old Testament. He did, however, often quote from Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Isaiah, and other minor prophets. Jesus seemed most concerned with quoting the Old Testament wherever it was redemptive, healing, etc. Not everything in the Bible is what we would call “the mind of God.” Sometimes there are passages in the Bible that are more to be understood as cautionary tales than stories to be emulated. Being “biblical” by some people’s standards is NOT the same thing as being “Christ-like.” The Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus’ day were “biblical” but they were not reading their Bibles with “the mind of God” and therefore they missed what the whole arch of cosmic history was actually about, the restoration of all things in Christ. For George MacDonald, one might wonder if he was closer to the mind of God than others around him. He was often reacting to the abusive and harsh Calvinism/Reformed theology around him that was telling people that they were chosen for hell and there was nothing that they could do about it, except repent and pray that they might be one of the “elect.” (And even then, you were never really sure.) MacDonald was even famously said to not be a Christian by Tim Keller and John Piper for his views on atonement. That being said, one has to wonder, have the writings of George MacDonald, and the influence he had on CS Lewis, Lewis Carroll, and JRR Tolkien stood the test of time because they were showcasing a minority position, or because he possibly did have the mind of Christ? Is it possible to be so close to the Scriptures that one misses the overall scope of the mind of God? Absolutely. The Pharisees did it as well. All this goes to say, is that good theology is at the end of the day a tool. Good theology is a tool for proclamation. And what should be proclaimed? “Good Advice” or “Good News”? Good News. And what is that Good News? That in Christ, the first, middle, and last word spoken to and over all of us is Love.Prayer Heavenly Father, help us to let go of our certainty that we see the world exactly as you do. Enable us the courage to set aside our assumptions and to learn from Christ alone, our truest and deepest, and most real “Scripture.” Grant us the grace to put on the mind of Christ, and not the fanciful worldview of anyone else. May it be so. Amen. |
| Life Overview of George MacDonald: When and Where: Born on December 10th, 1824. Died on September 18th, 1905. He spent most of his life in England and Scotland. Why He is Important: The Cloud of Unknowing is considered a spiritual classic, that in some ways, worked against the logic and the rhetoric common in that day. What is understood about God is deemed less important compared to what can be experienced with God. Most Known For: His poetry, fantastical stories, and unspoken sermons on God as Father, God as Refiner, and the salvation of all people. Notable Works to Check Out:Unspoken Sermons Phantastes. Lillith |
