Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1
“Though we be highly lifted up into contemplation by the special gift of our Lord, yet it is needful to us to have knowledge and sight of our sin and our feebleness.
Our Lord of His mercy showeth us our sin and our feebleness by the sweet gracious light of Himself; for our sin is so vile and so horrible that He of His courtesy will not shew it to us but by the light of His grace and mercy.
Of four things therefore it is His will that we have knowing: the first is, that He is our Ground from whom we have all our life and our being.
The second is, that He keepeth us mightily and mercifully in the time that we are in our sin and among all our enemies, that are full fell upon us; and so much we are in the more peril for [that] we give them occasion thereto, and know not our own need.
The third is, how courteously He keepeth us, and maketh us to know that we go amiss.
The fourth is, how steadfastly He abideth us and changeth no regard: for He willeth that we be turned [again], and oned to Him in love as He is to us.
Julian of Norwich (c. 1342-c. 1416) in Revelations of Divine Love (Grand Rapids: CCEL, 1966), p. 90.
Yesterday we completed our journey through Lent so I have decided to return to my word for the year: needful. It appears multiple times in this classic work by Julian of Norwich, so we will explore those usages this week.
I’ve also changed the header photo to feature our tulips in bloom. So beautiful I had to share it.
In today’s reading we Julian reminds us of our feebleness. Why? If we don’t set our hearts on things above, we will get ourselves into trouble.
If we want to grow in generosity, we have to focus on the things God cares about. If we do, He will resource us with knowledge, opportunities, finances, and other things we need to do His work.
If we focus on the earthly things, He will let us do it, but He will graciously encourage us be “oned to Him in love” and join Him in His work.
What will you do in life after Lent?
Father in Heaven, thanks for keeping us mightily and mercifully. May your will be done in our lives and may we be oned with you in love. Help us not go amiss but pursue heavenly things and have generous impact for your glory. Make it so because of your mercy and love we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
As I enter the last three weeks of my sabbatical, I spend this week at home, then two days facilitating meetings with seminary leaders in Michigan, then 10 days in Pakistan.
I appreciate your prayers for my preparation for the opportunity to serve there for the third time in 15 months. I will share more about the trip in the days to come.