Walking in God's Love. Part 3. Practicing the Presence of God

[Juanita]

Walking in God's Love.  Part 3.   Practicing the Presence of God

Three hundred years ago Brother Lawrence, a cook in a monastery, set his life on a course that continues to effect untold numbers of people. I’d like to share some of the insights Brother Lawrence shared…

The foundation of his life was faith that revealed the exalted position of God.  His battle focused on trusting God vs. not trusting God.  When that battle was won and in the depths of his heart he understood God’s great love for him, it gave God an open door to flood his life with blessings.   He said that he felt much closer to God than most people would imagine was possible!  Writer’s note:  I, too, have experienced this incredible joy in my walk with God!!!

Brother Lawrence set his heart to walk with God continually.   As expected, even with this conviction firmly in place, at times his mind drifted away from God.   He didn’t chastise himself for this, but simply confessed to God his weakness to find his joy at walking with God fully restored.  So great was this joy that he would have the impulse to shout, sing or dance!

One result of walking continually with God was a great relief from worry.  Many times Brother Lawrence was asked to do things he felt were beyond his skill and abilities.  He humbly submitted those things to God and found to his delight that God directly aided him in what would have otherwise been a worrisome walk.   Writer’s note:  I also struggle, at times, to keep God’s love for me in the center of all I do.   But, I can say that when I stop looking at ‘the wind and the waves’ and focus on God, trusting the outcome to His ability, not mine… amazingly,  God’s peace becomes present in my life.   Truly, as Brother Lawrence expresses – the battle is to walk with God, in his love.

By walking in God’s love, Brother Lawrence found that his life was incredibly free of fear.  He was afraid of nothing, not even dying to self or losing himself in God.  He said that most people spend time focusing on the things of God, but often miss the core focus – to deeply experience the love of God.  He said that skill was not needed, just the desire to love God beyond everything else.

Amen!

Discussion questions...   Giving you opinion IS important!  :-)

       1)  Have you ever had experiences like Brother Lawrence describes?

       2)  Why do you think that as we walk with God our fear reduces... can you give an example of how this has happened to you?

       3)  Have you experienced God's peace by walking with him?

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[SueW]

Nice book by a Catholic brother!  Glad you enjoyed it.  I read it many years ago!

Sue

[Juanita]

Thank you