We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
“Three things especially are needful in our works: to be orderly, understanding, and mindful. ‘Orderly’ I call that which corresponds in all points to the highest. ‘Understanding’ I call knowing nothing temporal that is better. ‘Mindful’ I call feeling living truth joyously present in good works.”
Meister Eckhart (c. 1260-1328) in “Sermon Nine” in The Complete Mystical Works of Meister Eckhart, translated and edited by Maurice O’C. Walshe (New York: Crossroad, 1987) 87.
Coming after the call to surrender yesterday, I feel I get the needful perspective for serving today: be orderly, understanding, and mindful.
By orderly, I must have my proverbial attachments in order and attach to God as highest. By understanding, I do well to detach from the temporal. And by mindful, if I am paying attention, I get to experience the living truth joyously present in my good works.
If I look closely into my heart, I see that sometimes my heart and mind can be disordered, I can lack understanding, and I can appear not at all mindful. God help me. God help other like me.
It seems to be orderly I must keep my focus on God. To grow in understanding, I must discern what God desires in every situation. And to be mindful, I must generously serve as the conduit of living truth.
This rings true for me in Asia and you too, wherever you are.