Just a thought by coppi

We enter into solitude first of all to meet our Lord and to be with him and him alone. Our primary task in solitude, therefore, is not to pay undue attention to the many faces that assail us, but to keep the eyes of our mind and heart on him who is our divine savior. Only in the context of grace can we face our sin; only in the place of healing do we dare to show our wounds; only with a single-minded attention to Christ can we give up our clinging fears and face our own true nature. As we come to realize that it is not we who live, but Christ who lives in us, that he is our true self, we can slowly let our compulsions melt away and begin to experience the freedom of the children of God. And then we can look back with a smile and realize that we aren’t even angry or greedy anymore (Henri Nouwen)

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“Only with a single-minded attention to  Christ can we give up our clinging fears and face our own true nature. As we come to realize that it is not we who live, but Christ who lives in us, that he is our true self, …….”

I have read and re-read above quote from Henri Nouwen and finally realized that Henri Nouwen knew how to be in silent with God. So, I said to myself “coppi, you have to learn how to be in silence with God”.  “I am going to give this another try”, I said.  I have attempted many times before, but my efforts were futile.  My problem is I cannot shut my mind off.  I crawl into bed, make myself very comfortable, and close my eyes and say “be silent” – my silence lasts for seconds; I give it another try and after several endeavors, I give up and just pray.  If Christ is myself why do I still have fears and faces that assail me?  Finally and after much thought I come to the conclusion, I am still in my earthly body, I am saved by grace, I am a new person in Christ, it is not I who lives, but Christ lives within me and guides me (if I let him), I am still alive, and when I leave this earth to be with Him – “I stand perfect in His love and grace – Amen”.

Just a thought by coppi