| "... Somewhere we know that without a lonely place our lives are in danger. Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, without distance closeness cannot cure. Somewhere we know that without a lonely place our actions quickly become empty gestures. The careful balance between silence & words, withdrawal & involvement, distance & closeness, solitude & community forms the basis of the Christian life & should therefore be the subjects of our most personal attention. Let us therefore look somewhat closer, first at our life in action, and at our life in solitude."(Out of Solitude by Henri J. M. Nouwen) |
The words in BOLD are in the image and the underlined part about our actions becoming empty gestures clearly did stand out {and I'm the one that chose to make bold & underline} however it's the part that comes after that about the "careful balance" (all highly significant, not just "SILENCE and words" ... ) yet the part that follows is THE PART, which says "... forms the basis of the Christian life ... and our personal attention" which seems to be the key part for me, while looking closer at my own life in action {or lack therein} and "our life in solitude." At this juncture, my mind - pushed by my heart pauses and becomes a deeper reflection & introspection or self-examination of my life {there's alot of years to cover this all, it's not a flash moment} so I quickly divert and become side-tracked by 3 words: solitude, solitary, and I end up with SOLIDARITY - {once again this has to do with my own interest in word studies & roots (etymological)} so the first 2 embrace "aloneness, being alone" while the last is more of a union - a feeling of "WE-ness" but yet solitude and solidarity can be interconnected through: self-reflection & empathy; recharging for connection; shared human experience, which can pave the way for a stronger sense of shared humanity and collective action. Thus, we arrive at social justice and community. Frankly, it is this that draws me and my deep concern over the division in our country and the world. {don't worry, I'm not going to get into this or on my "soapbox" this post}😉 This probably is not your niche, or fits with your Christian walk (life), but for me, especially in the days & time WE are facing, SOLIDARITY and social justice are exactly what Jesus Christ calls us to live and be for each other ... commUNITY begins in UNITY and WE were called to be the United States of America (by the way, Mexico & other countries also have united states that make up their country).
Also, I think that it's important that I make note that the full title of H. Nouwen (link is to an interview) is "Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life" - drawing on 3 moments in the life of Jesus.
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The other search site has very many choices - serious or just for fun.
I will only share a few (cuz you know I could get carried away):
Top 25
is too long for YV for
Isaiah 30:15-18 Voice
| "Listen! The Lord, the Eternal, the Holy One of Israel says, Eternal One: In returning and rest, you will be saved. In quietness and trust you will find strength. But you refused. [16] You couldn't sit still; instead, you said, "No! We will ride out of here on horseback. Fast horses will give us an edge in battle." But those who pursue you will be faster still. [17] When one person threatens, a thousand will panic and flee. When five terrorize you, all will run pell-mell, Until you are as conspicuous as a single flag standing high on a hill. [18] Meanwhile, the Eternal One yearns to give you grace and boundless compassion; that's why He waits. For the Eternal is a God of justice. Those inclined toward Him, waiting for His help, will find happiness." |
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"...For most of our lives it seems—and particularly our spiritual lives—we live with a constant sense of pressure to have to make things happen. It is a way of thinking and believing that is very subtle, and even seems noble and right at first glance, but one that is incredibly deceptive. For, at its heart, this mode of operation says: "Everything is up to me.” Which is really nothing more than what Parker Palmer calls “functional atheism.” Functional atheism is the belief that ultimate responsibility for everything rests with us. This way of thinking carries with it an enormous amount of pressure, insecurity, and anxiety. Isaiah is trying to open our ears to a new voice, one that says, “I cannot make anything of true value happen; that is all up to God. He is the One in charge of salvation and growth and transformation, not me. He is the One that causes the heart to change; that causes the seed to grow.” Therefore, a shift must take place deep within us; a shift from trusting in ourselves to trusting in our God. A shift from the pressure of doing to the freedom of being. That appears to be what is going on in Isaiah 30. Israel is under attack, their world filled with fear and chaos. But instead of turning to God—the One who knows them best and loves them most, the One who longs to save them—they panic, take matters into their own hands, and run off in another direction altogether; trying to insure and/or secure their own salvation. In fact, they turn to Egypt and beg Pharaoh (of all people) to come to their rescue. Because when their backs are against the wall their true beliefs come out. Instead of turning to God they turn to their own schemes, plans, and devices. So God intervenes. He comes to them and reminds them of what life with Him is really all about. “Your salvation will be found in returning and rest. Don't try to take matters into your own hands, don't carry out plans that are not mine (Isaiah 30:1). Turn back to me: once, twice, and always again. For when you turn (and return) to me you will find rest. I am the Sovereign Lord, the only one that can truly save you, the only one worthy of your TRUST. Come to me. Find rest in me. Trust quietly in me. For I am in control.” So, indeed, a shift is required—in them and in us. A shift from trying to make things happen, to turning (and returning) constantly to God and trusting Him to work and to act. A shift that helps us to understand that the most significant elements of living life with God are not in doing this and doing that, but in returning and rest, quietness and trust. Those are the materials we are to build our spiritual lives out of. So, as the old saying goes, “Don't just do something, stand there.” from Jim Branch website, Room to Flourish |
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