how do we protect this hiddenness in the midst of a very public life?
The two most important ways to protect our hiddenness are solitude and poverty.
Solitude allows us to be alone with God.
There we experience that we belong not to people,
not even to those who love us and care for us, but to God and God alone.
Poverty is where we experience our own and other people's weakness,
limitations, and need for support.
To be poor is to be without success, without fame, and without power.
But there God chooses to show us God's love.
Both solitude and poverty protect the hiddenness of our lives.
Henri Nowen
in the hiding and abiding place with Sandy
7 comments:
And poverty comes in all types I think--Money, relationships, academic success--thought provoking write
Poverty, is not always a bad thing, escpeciall when itvisvpoverty of spirit and poverty from a proudful heart!
Thanks, dear friend XX
Mia
I like to think that when my life is hidden in Christ, that it is Christ the world sees, and not me. Blessings, Patricia
Appreciate this.
That we belong to God and not to people - when my identity is so closely connected to raising these boys, being a daughter, niece and wife - that's hard to wrap my brain around. I am glad I am His, though! I love the alone moments with Him, walking with Him - but also I am glad that those who do belong to God are my family - and I like that, too!
Powerful quote. I'm reading Daring Greatly, by Brene Brown, about vulnerability - similar thoughts. Thank you for sharing this - copied it into my journal. Love the reminder that we belong to Him.
Hmm! Good way to think, to share. I'm going to have to process some of this. But it's a good piece that you put into the world.
Thank you.
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