You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit. Job 10:12
“Be occupied with the books of God’s providence intensely…Let thy mind be strengthened by them and though wilt acquire enlightened impulses from their subtlety; then thy mind will go its way with a clear consciousness towards the aim of understanding…Read in the two Testaments which God has destined for the instruction of the whole world, so that it should be dazzled by the power of His providence in every generation and be enveloped in wonder…
Behold, how many signs of grace happen to a man from providence. Sometimes a man will be on his knees at the time of prayer, his hands spread out or stretched towards heaven, his face looking to the cross, and so to speak, his whole emotion and mind stretched towards God in supplication; and while absorbed in these beseechings and pains at this time, a sudden fountain of delight will spring from his heart…”
Isaac of Nineveh (c. 630-700) Mystic Treatises by Isaac of Nineveh, translated by A. J. Wensinck (CreateSpace: 2012) 34, 40-41.
Today and tomorrow I am facilitating a spiritual discernment retreat with the National Christian Foundation Colorado executive board in Eagle, CO. The components of this retreat are solitude, Scripture, sharing, and supplication. We are getting away for about 24 hours to spend time with the LORD together.
Isaac of Nineveh reminded me today that God’s generosity flows so abundantly that every generation can trust in God’s providence to meet us in silence, to teach us from His Word, to enlighten us in community do His work, and to meet us in our supplications. Do we tap into this infinite supply of goodness?
Pray with me that coming out of this discernment retreat that the NCFC executive board will not have a strategic plan but spiritual clarity that will shape the work of NCFC, not because of me or anything I do, but because we have been dazzled by the power of God’s providence.