Becoming Whole In A Fragmented World
At some point, each of us must decide the orientation and direction of our lives. If we don't make that choice intentionally, it will be made for us. Circumstances, pressures, expectations, and strong personalities will all pull us in one direction or another.
So what will be at the center of your life? Will your primary focus be yourself, other people, or God?
If you desire to live a God-centered life—or more specifically, a Christ-centered life—you must intentionally deepen your relationship with Him. Jesus regularly withdrew from the demands and distractions around Him to spend time with His Father. If we want to follow His example, we must learn to do the same.
That means moving beyond simply knowing about God and beyond our assumptions and perceptions of Him. It means learning to behold Him, listen to Him, and truly know Him. This requires time alone with God—quiet, still, and attentive before Him.
"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
Henri Nouwen writes:
"Solitude shows us the way to let our behavior be shaped not by the compulsions of the world but by our new mind, the mind of Christ. Silence prevents us from being suffocated by our wordy world and teaches us to speak the Word of God."
Stillness carries us beyond ourselves and beyond the constant voices around us into the deep presence of God.
Nouwen also warns of a common temptation:
"The temptation is to go mad with those who are mad and to go around yelling and screaming, telling everyone where to go, what to do, and how to behave. The temptation is to become so involved in the agonies and ecstasies of the last days that we will drown together with those we are trying to save."
How relevant those words feel today.
At first, practices such as solitude, silence, and stillness may seem unproductive. We may fear that withdrawing from the noise of life will make us less useful or less impactful. Yet the opposite is true.
Nouwen observes:
"The restful heart will attract those who are groping to find their way through life."
When we find our rest in God, we become more available to serve others. We become less reactive, less driven by fear, and more responsive to the leading of His Spirit.
The truth is that you will be of far greater benefit to others as you become more whole yourself.
As you learn to be still before God—and as you press through the distractions, anxieties, and internal noise that clamor for your attention—your soul begins to heal. In that place of rest, genuine prayer is born. The voice of the Lord can be heard more clearly. "Deep calls unto deep."
And obedience that grows out of that place becomes steady, sincere, and powerful.
So how can you begin moving toward a more Christ-centered life?
Schedule regular times of solitude, silence, and stillness. They rarely happen by accident. Make room for them in your calendar and guard that time carefully.
Then practice. Practice. Practice.
Be patient with yourself along the way. These disciplines do not come naturally for most of us. They are often challenged by outer chaos, inner clutter, and spiritual opposition. Yet if you persist, you will gradually become more whole—more rested and more restful.
And in a fragmented world, that kind of life is deeply attractive.
Others will notice the difference. They will seek out the peace they see in you. And God will use your life to point them toward Him.
The quotes in this post are taken from the closing pages of Henri Nouwen's book, The Way of the Heart.
Categories
All Categories© 2018 Greater Formation
