Conversations... seems we have talks TO God very often. Sometimes God talks TO us. But when was the lastime you or I had a conversation WITH God. Some readings got me pondering that whole topic this week...
Julian of Norwich is one of the most popular of English mystics.
-She lived from 1343-141
- She lived as a Benedictine nun in Norwich, England.
- Her writings always pointed to the goodness and love of God, even though she was living in a time of severe social unrest and constant fear of the Black Plague.
Julian knew about prayer. She talked to God often.
Here is what she said about it: “For the highest form of prayer is to the goodness of God…God only desires that our soul cling to him with all its strength, in particular that it clings to his goodness. For of all the things our minds can think about God, it is thinking about his goodness that pleases him most and brings the most profit to our soul. For we are so preciously loved by God that we cannot even comprehend it. No created being can ever know how much and how sweetly and tenderly God loves them.”
Of course that's cool and all, but so often I hear people respond: "Wait... you don’t know me… I’m too messed up. I talk to God, but God wouldn’t want to talk to me."
Listen to what Brother Lawrence says: He was probably regarded as one of the closest men to God who ever lived. He shares in his writings “The Practice of the Presence of God”:
- “I imagine myself as the most wretched of all, full of sores and sins, and one who has committed all sorts of crimes against his king. Feeling a deep sorrow, I confess to him all of my sins, I ask his forgiveness, and I abandon myself into his hands so that he may do with me what he pleases.
This king, full of mercy and goodness, very far from chastening me, embraces me with love, invites me to feast at his table, serves me with his own hands, and gives me the key to his treasures. He converses with me, and takes delight in me, and treats me as if I were his favorite. This is how I imagine myself from time to time in his holy presence.”
Brennan Manning a couple days ago said this to me: “The highest form of prayer is to know the love God has for you.”
So this week when you think about having a conversation with God, grab hold of his goodness, walk from the truth of his love for you. You might find yourself actually enjoying His company and not wondering if He is even there.
Press on my friends.
