Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
“In solitude we can slowly unmask the illusion of our possessiveness and discover in the center of our own self that we are not what we can conquer, but what is given to us. In solitude we can listen to the voice of Him who spoke to us before we could speak a word, who healed us before we could make any gesture to help, who set us free long before we could free others, and who loved us long before we could give love to anyone. It is in this solitude that we discover that being is more important than having, and that we are worth more than the result of our efforts. In solitude we discover that our life is not a possession to be defended, but a gift to be shared. It’s there we recognize that the healing words we speak are not just our own, but are given to us; that the love we can express is part of a greater love; and that the new life we bring forth is not a property to cling to, but a gift to be received.”
Henri Nouwen in Journey of the Heart (St. Louis: All Saints Press, 2010) 14.
There’s something unmatched about the power of being alone with God. Nouwen unpacks aspects of it for us today. We can unmask, listen, discover, and recognize things we could not otherwise discern, hear, learn, and see.
But it’s not really a popular activity. Why?
Most people focus on pursuing things or achievements. They think about healing others when they themselves need healing. I’ve been guilty this and am finding it true first-hand. And the idea of possessiveness actually closes us to what we really need to receive, which is the new life that God offers us.
So what does this have to do with generosity?
Follow the example of Jesus. Get up early some day over the next week. Journal what you discern, hear, learn, and see from God. Do this before going to share love, healing, or care to others. Discover how it fills and forms you to be an agent of transformation. Receive first. Then give the life that is to be shared.