Read any good wisdom words lately?
As mentioned last week I recently attended a silent retreat. I listened deeply to God but also found thoughtful guidance from the written words from other “lamplighters.” I thought I would share some of these quotes with you today hoping they bring light to your spiritual journey too. I know these words opened my heart to God’s love and shaping.
Henri Nouwen continues to profoundly impact me this year. I prayed and pondered and journaled these words especially last week. How am I to let myself be loved by God? WOW!
“For most of my life I have struggled to find God, to know God, to love God. I have tried hard to follow the guidelines of the spiritual life—pray always, work for others, read the Scriptures—and to avoid the many temptations to dissipate myself. I have failed many times but always tried again, even when I was close to despair.
“Now I wonder whether I have sufficiently realized that during all this time God has been trying to find me, to know me, and to love me. The question is not “How am I to find God?” but “How am I to let myself be found by him?” The question is not “How am I to know God?” but “How am I to let myself be known by God?” And, finally, the question is not “How am I to love God?” but “How am I to let myself be loved by God?” God is looking into the distance for me, trying to find me, and longing to bring me home.”
Here are few others that brighten my day on retreat:
“Let your light shine. Walk your talk. God didn’t give your light only to sit on it.” Sister Thea Bowman (A new lamplighter for me!)
“Only the palette of the divine Painter can give me the colors I need to describe the wonders of my soul.” Hildegard of Bingen
“If human beings ask no questions, the Holy Spirit gives no answer.” Hildegard of Bingen
“Maybe I am not making big changes in the world, but if I somehow helped or encouraged someone along the journey, then I have done what I am called to do.” Sister Thea Bowman
“If you are what you were meant to be, you will set the world on fire.” Catherine of Sienna
“Fear is a wonderful teacher but a terrible CEO. If you ignore its lessons, you’ll never know which dragons need to be slain. If you ask it to be the boss though it will keep your life small because all it can see are dragons. Learn from fear but don’t let it lead.” Jon Acuff
Writing these words, rereading them this morning brings me once again closer to God – to feel his love and hear his lessons. May the wisdom of God and others companions guide your way too.
What words of wisdom have formed you lately?
‘lamplighters’
i love that, Jean. that word gives me cause for pause this evening.
and yes, please, to thoughtful wisdom from Henri Nouwen. Three of his books are on my e-book deals page these days –
http://www.lindastoll.net/p/e-book-deals.html
I am rereading lots of Henri this year. I am learning lots from him. I love that word, lamplighter too
I appreciate you sharing these words of wisdom, Jean! This one really stands out to me from your list:
“The question is not “How am I to know God?” but “How am I to let myself be known by God?” And, finally, the question is not “How am I to love God?” but “How am I to let myself be loved by God?””
That question has haunted me several weeks. Makes us think doesn’t it?
This morning words of wisdom from James Finley re Fear have spoken to me.
“In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus sweat blood because he was afraid [Luke 22:44]. It is possible that he was infinitely more afraid than we could ever be. But the difference is: Jesus was not afraid of being afraid, because he knew it was just fear. . . . We are afraid of fear because we believe that it has the power to name who we are, and it fills us with shame. . . .
Jesus invites us to discover that our fear is woven into God’s own life, whose life is mysteriously woven into all the scary things that can and do happen to us as human beings together on this earth. This is liberation from fear in the midst of a fearful situation.”
Jesus was not afraid of being afraid.
As I let go of one season of my life and try my best to wait for what comes next, these words – along with those you have quoted from Jon Acuff – give me permission to be a bit fearful as to what that might be.
Hi Janet. I am slowly befriending fear as part of me as a normal human emotion. Learning to recognize it but not give it the power, I like Jon’s comment about fear not being the CEO. I say fear comes along for the ride but can’t drive the car. It can be quite the backseat driver though, LOL
Sister Thea Bowman echoed the desire of my heart: “Maybe I am not making big changes in the world, but if I somehow helped or encouraged someone along the journey, then I have done what I am called to do.” I take great delight in offering encouragement to others; it’s something God has called me to do also. As for words of wisdom, I recently came across this quote: “The wisdom of God tells us that God will bring about the best possible results, by the best possible means, for the most possible people, for the longest possible time”–Charles Ryrie. Isn’t that encouraging!
You ARE an encourager and a gift from God to me and to others, Love the quote you shared too,
Thank you, Jean. And you are an encourager to me! Doesn’t that work out nicely?!
These words of wisdom so encouraged and comforted me today, Jean. Thanks so much for sharing these words that so touched your heart.
Blessings!
Glad they brought peace to you Martha, “Borrowed” words and prayers are beacons of light,