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Wisdom Story
A man crossed oceans and lands for an answer from a desert hermit. The hermit was known to live one with God in mind and heart. The man found the hermit at his cave. He spoke, "Sir, pardon me, but I've come a long way to seek from you an answer. For I hear that you are one with God, and you are very wise."
The hermit laughed, and he asked, "And, what answer, my friend, do you seek of me?"
"What righteous work is for to do that I may be acceptable in the sight of God?" inquired the man.
The hermit, surprising the man, spoke, "I don't have the slightest idea."
The man replied, "But, does not your Scripture and tradition give insights on these kinds of matters?"
Replied the hermit, "Yes, of course. But that does not mean they have the answer you are seeking for you."
"Then," asked the visitor, "is there some way I can find the work for me to be doing to honor my God?"
The hermit smiled, "Friend, listen long enough in silence and hear the deepest yearning of your heart. Then, follow it. That is the way to life, the path to acceptance with our good God."
Wisdom Saying
Theophan the Recluse (1815-1894), Greek Orthodox mystic, on prayer...
One must descend with the mind into the heart,
and there stand before the face of the Lord,
ever-present, all-seeing, within you.
Comments
Certainly, Wisdom can employ many external means to guide you in how to live your life. These can help in deciding what you are to do. They can point to the essence of spiritual religion, too.
This external guidance is not enough, however. The guidance is outside.
Take as an example, the Scriptures. It is words external to you. Externally, then, it offers you nothing internally~except of course, when the Spirit, Wisdom Herself, internalizes it and applies it to you and within. Otherwise, it remains words on a page or mere sounds.
I can read an encyclopedia article on Alaska. That is outside me. That will not give intimacy with Alaska. It will not reveal the specific application of that terrain to me, nor confer the feelings of heart and thoughts of mind that taking in Alaska personally would mean for me.
I, if I go to Alaska, will experience it in a personal way, differently than all others who have been there. Trying to internalize the experience of another is not my need, as though I can adopt and adapt matters of the heart. If I try, that will not suffice my yearning, the question and seeking of my heart.
So, yes, take advantage of all the sources of guidance and information from Scripture, other persons, and books that you need. But, you have to descend into the cave of your heart to listen to Wisdom Herself, who is the Word, for yourself. Then, you can say to the Holy Spirit, "Yes, I will follow. Help me to do so."
Mystic Poem
A Melody Waiting
You hear music
But you do not dance
You see notes
But you do not sing
Friend,the melody you seek
is not by eyes or ears
but lies waiting
in your Heart
*Brian K. Wilcox, March 15, 2007
Suggested Reflection
How are you moving to the Center, the Heart, and listening to the Word for you from there?
See next page for Purpose of OneLife, reference to the writer's book, his writing in The Upper Room Disciplines 2008, and matters pertaining to source material in this devotional.
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