01 March 2014

back to stillness

Discipline is the other side of discipleship. 
Discipleship without discipline 
is like waiting to run in the marathon 
without ever practicing. 
Discipline without discipleship 
is like always practicing for the marathon 
but never participating. 
It is important, however, to realize 
that discipline in the spiritual life 
is not the same as discipline in sports. 
Discipline in sports 
is the concentrated effort to master the body 
so that it can obey the mind better. 
Discipline in the spiritual life is the concentrated effort 
to create the space and time 
where God can become our master 
and where we can respond freely to God's guidance.

Thus, discipline is the creation of boundaries 
that keep time and space open for God. 
Solitude requires discipline, 
worship requires discipline, 
caring for others requires discipline. 
They all ask us to set apart a time and a place 
where God's gracious presence 
can be acknowledged and responded to.
Henri Nouwen

it was a week of reunion
family memories, laughter, eating
love shared noisy
but no space for stillness

now home again, I open wide 
my arms, my heart
open wide the gates
that the King of glory
may come as He wills
breathing deep the silence

Sandra Heska King - Still Saturday
in the quiet with Sandy

 

3 comments:

Sandra Heska King said...

Good words from Henri--always. And I like the difference in the disciplines... to master or be mastered. Breathing deep the silence with you.

caryjo said...

This is a good thinking, sharing one. Made me think, too. Never thought it this way before. Hmm! Thanks. AND, BTW, I LOVE that photo. That is a heart-grabber! Blessings, Karin.

Denise said...

Your writing inspires.