Letting Go

Here is some great spiritual wisdom from John of the Cross:

It is not from want of will that I have refrained from writing to you, for truly do I wish you all good; but because it seemed to me that enough has been said already to effect all that is needful, and that what is wanting (if indeed anything be wanting) is not writing or speaking — whereof ordinarily there is more than enough — but silence and work. For whereas speaking distracts, silence and work collect the thoughts and strengthen the spirit. As soon therefore as a person understands what has been said to him for his good, there is no further need to hear or to discuss; but to set himself in earnest to practice what he has learned with silence and attention, in humility, charity and contempt of self.

I find myself called to silence and work as the journey continues. A word that was given to me the other week in Chicago during small group prayer/ministry time was that my journey is akin to the call of Abraham in that it is a call to the unknown.

Genesis 12:1, "The LORD had said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.'"

I find myself constantly trying to plan how this journey of responding to God's call is going to unfold. But that often gets me into trouble. Responding to the call requires letting go of many things. I don't think it means that all planning must be set aside, but the essential avenue for responding to the call is through relationship with God.

Enough words for now. Back to silence and work.