Spiritual Solutions

Last week, I introduced you - or re-introduced you - to the little book, The Practice of the Presence of God - The Best Rule of a Holy Life, with the idea that I would share excerpts of the book with you over the next several weeks. In this way, you can let the message of Brother Lawrence resonate in your mind and heart perhaps in a new way and by so doing you can experience a new level of spiritual development in your own life.

Please remember, as you read and digest, that the language and the way of expression in this book are from a far different time. The edition that I am using was printed in 1895, and there were other editions prior to this. So you have to make allowances for some of the old terminology and not let it serve as a block to the powerful spiritual understanding you can gain from this classic spiritual text.

From the Preface, then, we read the following:

This book consists of notes of several conversations had with, and letters written by, Nicholas Herman, of Lorraine, a lowly and unlearned man, who, after having been a footman and soldier, was admitted a Lay brother among the barefooted Carmelites at Paris in 1666, and was afterward known as “Brother Lawrence.”

His conversion, which took place when he was about eighteen years old, was the result, under God, of the mere sight in midwinter of a dry and leafless tree, and of the reflections it stirred respecting the change the coming spring would bring.

From that time he grew eminently in the knowledge and love of God, endeavoring constantly to walk “as in His presence.” No wilderness wanderings seem to have intervened between the Red Sea and the Jordan of his experience. A wholly consecrated man, he lived his Christin life through as a pilgrim, as a steward and not as an owner, and died at the age of eighty, leaving a name which has been as “ointment poured forth.”

The ”Conversations” are supposed to have been written by M. Beaufort, Grand Vicar to M. de Chalons, formerly Cardinal de Noailles, by whose recommendation the “Letters” were first published.

The book has, within a short time, gone through repeated editions, and has been a means of blessing to many souls. It contains very much of that widom which only lips the Lord has touched can express, and which only hearts He has made teachable can receive.

May this edition also be blessed by God, and redound to the praise of the glory of His grace.

FIRST CONVERSATION

The first time I saw Brother Lawrence was upon the 3rd of August, 1666. He told me that God had dome him a singular favor in his conversion at the age of eighteen.

That in the winter, seeing a tree stripped of its leaves, and considering that within a little time the leaves would be renewed, and after that the flowers and fruit appear, he received a high view of the providence and power of God, which has never since been effaced from his soul. That this view had perfectly set him loose from the world, and kindled in him such a love for God that he could not tell whether it had increased during the more than forty years he had lived since. 

That he had been footman to M. Fieubert, the treasurer, and that he was a great awkward fellow who broke everything.

That he had desired to be received into a monastery, thinking that he would there be made to smart for his awkwardness and the faults he should commit, and so he should sacrifice to God his life, with its pleasures; but that God had disappointed him, he having met with nothing but satisfaction in that state.

That we should establish ourselves in a sense of God’s presence by continually conversing with Him. That it was a shameful thing to quit His conversation to think of trifles and fooleries.

That we should feed and nourish our souls with high notions of God; which would yield us great joy in being devoted to Him.

That we ought to quicken - i.e. to enliven - our faith. That it was lamentable we had so little; and that instead of taking faith for the rule of their conduct, men amused themselves with trivial devotions, which changed daily. That the way of faith was the spirit of the church, and that it was sufficient to bring us to a high degree of perfection.

That we ought to give ourselves up to God, with regard both to things temporal and spiritual, and seek our satisfaction only in the fulfilling of His will, whether He lead us by suffering or by consolation, for all would be equal to a soul truly resigned.

That there needed fidelity in those drynesses or insensibilities and irksomenesses in prayer by which God tries our love to Him; that then was the time for us to make good and effectual acts of resignation, whereof one would oftentimes very much promote our spiritual advancement.

That as for the miseries and sins he heard of daily in the world, he was so far from wondering at them that, on the contrary, he was surprised that there were not more, considering the malice sinners were capable of; that, for his part, he prayed for them; but knowing that God could remedy the mischiefs they did when He pleased, he gave himself no further trouble.

That to arrive at such resignation as God requires, we should watch attentively over all the passions which mingle as well in spiritual things as in those of a grosser nature; that God would give light concerning those passions to those who truly desire to serve Him. That if this was my desire, viz., sincerely to serve God, I might come to him (Brother Lawrence) as often as I pleased, without any fear of being troublesome; but if not, that I ought no more to visit him.

God is Blessing You, Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham
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Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-six years, invites you to enjoy more articles and/or subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions or go directly to the Spiritual Solutions Blog

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