I really enjoyed combing through the chapters on simplicity and solitude. Both chapters speak of placing a right perspective in our minds when it comes to physical possessions and those things that we use to fill the silence. Ultimately it all points to keeping the right perspective of who we honestly love, depend on, and hold as our highest priority. Its all about Jesus! Seek first his Kingdom and His righteousness! I can honestly say that I wasn't completely aware of my dependence on possessions and the noise of life, until after reading these chapters.
The most impactful part of our reading was the section in the solitude chapter that discussed the "dark night of the soul". Now I've kind of heard about this phrase before by someone, but it wasn't explained all that well or really understood all that well. Through reading that section the light bulb turned on in my head, sorta speak. I've been kind of at this weird place spiritually, mentally, emotionally....all the -ally's really. Very much a place of, as foster says, "dryness, aloneness, even lostness" (p.102). It is as if I am "not getting through to God" (p.102). Basically everything I read gripped my heart with agreement, and in a way it gave me comfort because it was like someone understood what I was feeling. I'm not going to diagnosis it as the "dark night of the soul" or anything, cause I don't know what it is. But my point is that through reading that section I began to realize that the place I was at was a gift from God.
Foster discusses that this place or state "is an experience to be welcomed (p.102). It is "one of the ways God brings us into a hush, a stillness so that he may work an inner transformation upon the soul (p. 102). The part that gripped me the most was when he stated, "Recognize the dark night for what it is. Be grateful that God is lovingly drawing you away from every distraction so that you can see him clearly. Rather then chafing and fighting, become still and wait" (p. 103).
This place that I am in has been lovingly given to me, in order to draw me closer to Him. It is a beautiful and loving thing! I often felt like it was this burden of a place to be in, and I wrestled and fought it. And it was exhausting. But freedom came when I let go, accepted where I was, and chose to embrace the place God had me at. To be "still and wait".
Our God is a loving and compassionate God! It's silly how easily we all can forget that sometimes, ya know? The truth is that where God has you now is a gift, wither it is a hard place or good. He is working out something in you or adding something to you. Either way, He is drawing you closer to Him! And that can never be a bad thing!
Love ya all!
Stef
This line from your post really encouraged me:
ReplyDelete"The truth is that where God has you now is a gift, wither it is a hard place or good. He is working out something in you or adding something to you. Either way, He is drawing you closer to Him! And that can never be a bad thing!"
So much truth there!
I think the clearest season that I would classify as a "dark night of the soul" came for me about two weeks into my first summer driving. It really had me stumped for a while - why should I feel so dry when I'm at houseboats? I LOVE houseboats! But then someone (Alyssa, actually) shared with me the concept of the dark night of the soul and it became so clear to me. God was transforming my perspective to see Him in a different way: 'Pearl, the instant spiritual high from barneying just isn't going to cut it anymore. I want more of you!'
It definitely can hurt, but it seems like what we really need sometimes is for God to just sift through our mindsets, emotions, and feelings to get us to view our entire spiritual walk in a new and different (and hopefully intimate) way.
Thanks Pearl. Your response was encouraging. I loved when you said that God was transforming your perspective of Him. I honestly think that that is what He is doing. He is challenging me and calling me out of my old ways of viewing Him, faith, and community. Thanks for your response, for reminding me that I'm not alone, and for encouraging me! Love ya!
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