“Seek
a convenient time to be by yourself, and meditate often upon God’s loving
kindness. Do not bother with writings about unusual matters, but read the
things that speak to your conscience more than the things that occupy your
head. If you will withdraw yourself from worthless conversations and from
roaming about idly, as well as from listening to new things and rumours, you
will find enough free time that is suitable for meditation on good things.
The
greatest saints avoided the company of others when it was appropriate and
proper to do so, and choose instead to serve God in secret. One writer once
said, “As often as I have been among men I returned home less a man than I was
before”. This we find true when we have long conversations. It is easier not to
speak a word at all, than to speak more words than we should. It is easier to
remain home, than to keep yourself well when you are away.
The
person therefore who intends to achieve the more inward and spiritual things of
religion, must go apart with Jesus from the influence of the multitudes. No one
can securely appear in public, but those are secure who would gladly stay at
home out of sight. No one is secure when they speak, but those that hold their
peace willingly. No one rules securely except those who are willing to be
ruled. No one commands securely, but those that have learned to willingly obey.
If
you desire true repentance of heart, enter into your secret place and shut out
the din and commotion of the world. In your secret place you will find what you
will too often lose when you are away from home. The more time you spend in
your secret place the more you will like it, and the less time you spend there
the more you will loath it. If in the beginning of your conversion you are
content to be in it and find it satisfying, it will soon become a dear friend
to you and a source of great comfort…
If
you had not wandered around and paid attention to idle rumours, you would have
better kept your happy peace of mind. But since you sometimes delight in
hearing about new and unusual things, it is right that you should suffer some
uneasiness of heart from it”.
May
this extract have an impact on the way you view your life and the influence you
have to yourself and those that come into contact with you. It takes just a few
minutes of meditation to reconsider certain things and perhaps destructive
paths.
“Stay
with Him in your closet, for you will not find greater peace anywhere else”.
