Thursday, Fourth Week of Lent

THURSDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

Seeking a Spiritual Atmosphere

How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? John 5:44

We cannot live a spiritual life alone. The life of the Spirit is like a seed that needs fertile ground to grow. This fertile ground includes not only a good inner disposition, but also a supportive milieu. It is hard to live a life of prayer in a milieu where no one prays or speaks lovingly about prayer. It is nearly impossible to deepen our communion with God when those with whom we live and work reject or even ridicule the idea that there is a loving God. It is a superhuman task to keep setting our hearts on the kingdom when all those whom we know and talk with are setting their hearts on everything but the kingdom…when we are serious about living a spiritual life we are responsible for the milieu where it can grow and mature. Although we might not be able to create the ideal context for a life in the Spirit, we have many more options than we often claim for ourselves. We can choose friends, books, churches, art, music, places to visit, and people to be with that, taken together, offer a milieu that allows the mustard seed that God has sown in us to grow into a strong tree.

Lord, I am grateful that I have a faithful community to worship with. Help me to serve the church in this spirit of gratitude.

Henri J. M. Nouwen

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