Inner Spirit

Audré Louf writes “There are books which only transmit a patiently acquired and judiciously expressed knowledge. On the contrary, others well up from within, flowing as from an inner source. Born of an experience with which they still resonate, they tend to communicate this experience as if by vibrations, by a secret connivance.”  If you want to travel deeply into the spirit, and reap the greatest benefits from spiritual reading, you need to develop an atmosphere of contemplation. First needed is the ability to be still and listen. We tend to use prayer for asking...for questioning...for adoration. These are good. But not enough. To be able to sit before God in silence and open the heart to His inspirations...this is the essense of contemplation. It's the experience of Elijah, who waited to hear the voice of God on the mountain side. 1 Kings 19 tells us "A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crashing rocks before the LORD--but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake--but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire--but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound."  And God's voice was in the whisper. The incident demonstrates how God reveals Himself not so much in the highlights or dramatic elements of our life, but in the quiet silence of reflection. That's because silence helps us learn about God, and opens our hearts to His words. By sitting before God in silence and stillness...we give ourselves the best possible gift. That of opening our heart to God, so that He may fill it.