Thomas Merton: Deep devotion to Divine Providence

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Hebrews 13:1

“If we love one another truly, our love will be graced with a clear-sighted prudence which sees and respects the designs of God upon each separate soul. Our love for one another must be rooted in a deep devotion to Divine Providence, a devotion that abandons our own limited plans into the hands of God and seeks only to enter into the invisible work that builds His Kingdom. Only a love that senses the designs of Providence can unite itself perfectly to God’s providential action upon souls. Faithful submission to God’s secret working in the world will fill our love with piety, that is to say, with supernatural awe and respect. This respect, this piety, gives our love the character of worship, without which our charity can never be quite complete. For love must not only seek the truth in the lives of those around us; it must find it there. But when we find the truth that shapes our lives we have found more than an idea. We have found a Person. We have come upon the actions of One Who is still hidden, but Whose work proclaims Him holy and worthy to be adored. And in Him we also find ourselves.”

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) in No Man is an Island (New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1955) 9.

This is one of those quotes that it is best for me to suggest you just read it again. When you do, see the function of the deep devotion to Divine Providence.

We can give love to others generously when we know that God will care for us, and for our every need. Then we need not expect things of other souls that only He can supply.

We can only find ourselves when we have faithfully submitted ourselves to the Person who wants us to grow and understand our place in community with others.

If this sounds lofty read it again, and pause with the Spirit to reflect. Then go give love to others and build His Kingdom as an act of worship and adoration. You got this. God’s got you.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

“A man must be penetrated with the divine presence, and be shaped through and through with the shape of the God he loves, and be present in Him, so that God’s presence may shine out to him without any effort. What is more, in all things let him acquire nakedness, and let him always remain free of things. But at the beginning there must be attentiveness and a careful formation within himself, like a schoolboy setting himself to learn.”

Meister Eckhart (c.1260-1328) in The Essential Writings (New York: Harper & Row, 1941) 12-13.

What do you have? It’s a simple question, and yet, not really. It queries where or not we are free of things. From there, the questions only get more complex. The reality for most people is that over time they acquire more things and a larger residence to store them.

What if you a different approach regardless of what everyone else is doing? What if you sat like a schoolboy setting yourself to learn? To be generous is to be penetrated by the divine presence and shaped by the God of love.

When this happens we start living different, giving different, serving different, loving different than those around us. God, help us acquire nakedness so that we remain free of things to live, give, serve, and love different from the world, just like you. Amen.

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8

“The incomprehensible riches and exaltation and the mildness and liberality with which the Divine nature makes itself common: all this makes man to be astonished. And particularly and above all things man is astonished to see how God makes Himself common, and the liberality of it: for he perceives that in this incomprehensible nature of God consists the enjoyment of Him which He shares with all the saints. And he perceives in the Divine Persons a common flowing-out and working, in grace and in glory, in nature and above nature, in all states and in all times, in saints and in men, in heaven and in earth, in all creatures, rational or irrational or inanimate, according to each one’s worth and need and capacity to receive.”

Jan van Ruysbroek (1293-1381) in The Spiritual Espousals (London: Faber and Faber, 1952) 125.

Jan van Ruysbroek helps us get a glimpse of the unsearchable and incomprehensible riches of Christ toward us. They come to us by God’s grace. They are just what every person needs. And they link to our capacity to receive.

It inspires me today to tell anyone who wants to grow in generosity to increase their capacity to receive. But how you ask? Let’s consider what Jan van Ruysbroek might say in reply.

If we focus on the generosity “flowing-out and working” between the Divine Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) we get a glimpse of boundless love, matchless care, and unceasing vigilance.

This causes us to live differently. We act in light of the fact that God always has our needs sorted and invites us to show such care to others. When we contemplate this “flowing-out and working” we grow in faith.

In so doing, we increase our capacity to receive. Think on these things and see what happens for you, in you, through you, for the glory of the Father, empowered by the Spirit, and in the name of the Son.

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:21

“Since the philosopher’s interests are mainly objective, and the artist seldom cogitates on his own processes, it is, in the end, to the initiate of religion that we are forced to go, if we would learn how to undertake this training for ourselves. The religious contemplative has this further attraction for us: that he is by nature a missionary as well. The vision which he has achieved is the vision of an intensely loving heart; and love, which cannot keep itself to itself, urges him to tell the news as widely and as clearly as he may. In his works, he is ever trying to reveal the secret of his own deeper life and wider vision, and to help his fellow men to share it: hence he provides the clearest, most orderly, most practical teachings on the art of contemplation that we are likely to find.”

Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941) in Practical Mysticism (Project Gutenberg, 1915) 25

One day a philosopher and a religious contemplative went into a sports bar. Actually, that was me and my wife last night. We got a late dinner in downtown Littleton after her last soul care session.

On the way home I said I had been reading Underhill (who reminds me of my wife, as Jenni is also a religious contemplative). When I got home I kept reading and came on this part about sharing the love of God and the deeper life.

Don’t miss the message if you want to grow in generosity, and if you want to attract people to our Lord Jesus Christ. Focus on growing an intensely loving heart. That’s my wife.

For my part, I am the philosopher whose interests tend to be mainly objective. Whereas she’s tasted the love of God so richly, she can’t help but invite others to taste it.

So, what’s the lesson for us? We find it in Jude: keep yourself in the love of God. Do that and it will form an intensely loving heart in you, and you will give yourself to wanting others to share it.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

“Those who have none to share in their good fortune or their grief, none on whom they can unload their troubles, no one to whom they can communicate some sudden glorious illumination are like brute beasts. ‘Woe unto him who is alone, for when he falls he has none to lift him up!’ … But what happiness, security, and joy to have another self to talk with!”

(1098-1179) in Hildegard of Bingen: Selected Writings, translated with an introduction and notes by Mark Atherton (Penguin Books) 12.

I’ve returned to Denver and am captivated by the changing colors of the trees against the blue sky on walks with Grace. And since I am revisiting my word for the year, share, I thought I would share a glimpse of the beauty in this new header photo.

Today’s reading from Hildegard of Bingen reminds us that God never intended any of us to go through life alone. It’s my tendency. Perhaps yours too? But we find happiness, security, and joy when we share good fortune and grief with others.

This post surprised me and met me right where I am at. GTP is having a time of good fortune. We have making an impact in the lives of many people and shaping ministry in many countries. Sure there are financial needs, but things are going great!

And yet, I come off a time of grief, mourning the passing of my mentor and friend, Dan Busby. So imagine my joy, yesterday, when I woke to find numerous emails filled with encouragement and gratitude for orchestrating the memorial service.

Honestly, it was a tall order to fill. Dan was a giant of a man, who never wanted the spotlight on him, only on Jesus. He loved funny stories and baseball and serving others humbly. He wanted his three friends to keep it simple, so we did.

It should be available online in the next day or two. In the meantime, please, wherever you are, share good fortune and grief with those around you. If you do, you will experience the generous gift of happiness, security, and joy in the process.

Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

“Giving doesn’t just happen. Most of us don’t give as much as we should because we don’t plan our giving. You may need to make some financial decisions in order to have the freedom to give more. You may need to reduce your debt load or opt for a simpler lifestyle. You might need a budget. It will certainly mean having a priority list, planning and keeping records. Remember you are handling God’s money.”

Dan Busby (1941-2022) in Giving from the Heart: A Legacy that Last Forever (Winchester: ECFA, 2008) 3.

I have returned safely home from facilitating the memorial service for Dan Busby in New York. So, when I thought about my daily office today, I was reminded to go back to this little book he wrote.

It provides wonderful insights on giving. This one is key for every steward to remember: “giving doesn’t just happen.” We must plan for it. It requires diligent decision making.

The Apostle Paul gave the same instructions on giving to the church in Corinth as he gave to the churches of Galatia. He wanted each person to set aside a portion of their income for giving.

That means we must follow suit. Let’s opt for the simpler lifestyle, set aside funds for giving every week or month, and see what God does. We have found he often grows our income.

This positions us to live and give more generously. Thanks God for Dan’s example of modeling this and inspiring so many people to diligently and thoughtfully steward Your resources. Help us follow His legacy. Amen.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

“It is not the honor that you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind.”

Branch Rickey in Rickey and Robinson: The Men Who Broke Baseball’s Color Barrier (New York: Taylor Trade, 1982) 58.

Thanks for the prayers for me as I officiated Dan Busby’s online memorial service yesterday from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. It was an unforgettable experience and a recording will be available in the coming days.

In my last conversation with Dan, I let him know that his earthly ministry was drawing to a close. But soon he’d be more alive than ever. I added that he would join the cloud of great cloud of witnesses and simply asked that as a good baseball fan, he would cheer me on. His reply, “With you!”

Branch Rickey believed in a ball player named Jackie Robinson. Dan Busby believed in me. It was a generous gift. Who might you believe in? Your words can give them confidence to run the race marked for them. Your encouragement can make all the difference. It can help the persevere in times of trial.

Rickey and Robinson left behind a heritage that would change sports and change the world. Each of us can have the same impact. Dan Busby gave his life to helping churches and ministries follow standards in the USA and planted seeds for the global movement.

He planted those in me. I am his heritage. Will I let it stop with me or will I plant seeds in the lives of people all over the world? Each of us has people whose lives we can touch for eternity. Let’s generously sow in them. Intentional effort in this area is work but can multiply our impact.

We also learn in Psalm 127:3 that “children are a heritage from the LORD.” That means everyone who has children can leave a heritage that has impact far beyond our own lives. I’m growing convinced that this is one of our greatest areas of generosity.

The greatest among you will be your servant. Matthew 23:11

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

Jackie Robinson (1919-1972) in the words etched on his tombstone.

In case you missed my announcement yesterday, when a Hall of Fame caliber guy like Dan Busby asks you to lead his online memorial service, and you’ve been to the Hall with him, and he even got you a lifetime pass, you make a call!

Tom Shieber, the Senior Curator of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum who met Dan on many occasions when Dan used the Hall to do research for writing multiple baseball books, responded to my message immediately. He’s eager to co-host with me.

Tom will read these words as Dan’s life was great because he served others so generously. What impact is your life having on others? What changes might you need to make to increase your impact?

Click here to register. It’s today at 2pm ET on Friday 21 October 2022. All who register will get access to the recording, but I hope you can join live. Also, listen to Dan’s July 2022 GTP podcast here. And, read the ECFA announcement here.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1-2

“I, a pilgrim of eternity, stand before Thee, O eternal One. Let me not seek to deaden or destroy the desire for Thee that disturbs my heart. Let me rather yield myself to its constraint and go where it leads me. Make me wise to see all things today under the form of eternity, and make me brave to face all the changes in my life which such a vision may entail: through the grace of Christ my Saviour. Amen.”

John Baillie (1886-1960) in A Diary of Private Prayer (New York: Scribner, 1952).

I made it safely back to the United States from Africa. But I am far from my Denver home. I ended my trip at Newark airport, rented a car, and drove to Cooperstown, NY.

It’s the location of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and the location from which I will host the memorial service for Dan Busby tomorrow.

Why the Hall? Dan asked his three friends, John Pearson, Steve McVey, and me, to officiate an online, one hour, no-nonsense service that would glorify God.

John Pearson will read these words. I thought they were fitting to share here as I am just a fellow pilgrim who seeks to yield myself in generous service like that of Dan Busby.

So, when a Hall of Fame caliber guy like Dan asks you to lead his memorial service, and you’ve been to the Hall with him, and he even got you a lifetime pass, you make a call.

Tom Shieber, the senior curator who met Dan on many occasions when Dan used the Hall to do research for writing multiple baseball books, responded to my message.

Thankfully, he remembered meeting me in 2018. He jumped to arrange the broadcast from the Theatre at the Hall. Click here to register. It’s at 2pm on Friday 21 October 2022.

All those who register will get access to the recording, but I hope you can join live. Also, listen to Dan’s July 2022 GTP podcast here. And, read the ECFA announcement here.

Dan Busby is standing before God because of his deep faith in Jesus. Dan went where God led him, and was made wise and brave to finish his course.

May God give us all the grace to do likewise.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

“. . . let us hold fast to love of him, hating and rightly turning away from the devil. For as our benefactor is loved and cherished in proportion to his benefactions, so the wicked one should be hated and rejected for his ways in equal proportion. For he is the destroyer of our life. In the words of the Master, he is a murderer from the beginning. He is the one who has divided our race into ten thousand opinions, wounding it with many darts of sin and seeking to swallow down the inhabited world. If we do not hate him, there will be no escaping the punishment that will be meted out to us, because we joined to our foe and murderer. But, my brothers, let us fly from him! Let us fly most certainly. What is flight? The avoidance of wicked actions and thoughts, and also affinity with God, the assumption of good works.”

Theodore the Studite (759-826) in Saints’ Quotes: Holy Quotations for Purification of the Soul, Collection of Prayers.

Theodore offers us a fresh perspective on how we can flee from the devil. We draw near to God and do good works.

Think about it. When we walk close with God and do the works He prepared in advance for us to do, we can rest in His care. It won’t mean we will not have troubles.

Most assuredly we will have troubles. But we can be of good cheer, because our victorious Lord has overcome the world.

So, the lesson for me today as I start my travel home is this. Urge everyone I know to draw near to God and to do the good works that He prepared for them.

In Malawi, we have urged the people to turn dependency into discipleship emphasizing “Give God What You Have!”

It’s working. In case you missed it yesterday, read this update from Malawi (click here to read the trip report). Notice, even the government officials and the news media proclaims acknowledge how God is at work (click here to view a two minute video).

And join the movement by making a gift to GTP. Part of doing good works links to service and it also relates to our giving.

Draw near to God with me. Pray with me for $80,000 right away to deploy staff to spread the vision of Palmful of Maize to 16 more districts. Thank you.