You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3
“This activity of our heart may be compared, not inappropriately, to that of a mill which is activated by the circular motion of water. The mill cannot cease operations so long as it is driven by the pressure of the water, and then it becomes quite feasible for the person in charge to decide whether he [or she] prefers wheat or barley or darnel to be ground. And one thing is clear: only that will be ground which is fed in by the person who is in charge.
In a similar fashion, the mind is under constant pressure in this life. From all sides temptation comes in torrents to drive it along and in no way will it be free of turbulent thoughts. But the workings of zeal and diligence will decide which of these thoughts may be allowed in and cultivated. And, as I have said already, if we turn to the constant meditation on Scripture, if we lift up our memory to the things of the Spirit, to the longing for perfection, and to the hope of future blessedness, then the thoughts deriving from all this will of necessity be spiritual and they will hold the mind there thoughts have been.
However, if we are overcome by sloth or by carelessness, if we give ourselves over to dangerous and useless chattering, if we are caught up by worldly cares and in profitless worries, then there will follow in effect from this a harvest of tares to serve as a ministry of death to our hearts. As the Lord and Saviour of us all proclaimed, where treasure lies for our works and for our hopes, our hearts will of necessity abide there too.”
John Cassian (360-435) in Conferences as recounted in Celebrating the Saints, compiled by Robert Atwell (SCM: Norwich, 2004) 81-82.
The title of this classic work, Conferences, could be rendered, Meetings with Monks, for that is what it is. A record of a series of discussions between desert fathers who were deeply dedicated to God.
Here, Cassian looks at the heart to choose zeal and diligence over sloth and carelessness. If we don’t give ourselves to the former, we find ourselves caught up in the latter: “worldly cares and in profitless worries” instead.
By using the comparison to the mill, he gives us a picture of the forces at work, both for an against us. Constant pressure. But it is our choice what to make in the mill and how to stay focused along the way: constant meditation.
Perhaps that’s why God led me to do daily posts almost 13 years ago, and why you read them? As today’s Scripture notes, we need to remain steadfast. Let’s make generosity in our mill for God and others.
God help us not be overcome by the turbulent thoughts.