Yesterday’s talks brought to mind a saying of St. Francis which I particularly love; it goes something like this: “The world is my cloister, my body is my cell and my soul the hermit within.” If that is to be tue in my life what then are the things I require? According to Ray Simpson in his book High Street Monasteries five marks of the inner monk.
- Living for God Alone
- Being who you are
- Patient Ripening
- Space for Solitude
I’m asking myself the question: How do I measure up?
Living for God Alone
Something over which I have strived for more years than I care to mention. I think I have always viewed this in a rather negative way. By that I mean I have seen living for God in terms of having to give up things in order to concentrate on Him. Whilst there are undoubtedly things that prevent me from having the full communion I desire there are undoubtedly other things which although not directly God focused, could be transformed into the means of honouring Him.
Being who you are
If there is anything in this list over which I struggle the most it is this. I find it interesting that many on this course feel that I am an extrovert when in fact every psychological test I have ever done places me firmly as an introvert. This begs the question am I subconsciously trying to be something I am not in order to ‘fit in’ with those around?
Patient Ripening
If I look back on my life I can see that God has been very patient with me. There is no doubt that I have grown and matured in the Christian faith since I first said ‘yes’ to him some forty-two years ago. But I still want everything now. I look at this list of five things and think it would be so nice if I had them all sorted before leaving tomorrow! Perhaps I am guilty of praying the prayer, “Lord give me patience, and give it me now.”
Space for solitude
I must admit that I think I am getting better on this one although there is no doubt that I could do better. Perhaps I should refer back to 4
