By now those of you who know me know that I like the books written by contemplatives. I also find myself as a contemplative-active person, meaning, I am not a good contemplative or a good active person.
Fr. Thomas Merton, one of the greatest contemplatives of our time says, “Fidelity to grace in my life is fidelity to simplicity, rejecting ambition and analysis and elaborate thought or even elaborate concern.”
In this quote, what caught my attention is “elaborate concern.” Isn’t a concern for the world, the self, the family all important and necessary? Yes, it is, but overly focused concern on self, family, friends, church, work, or whatever is not “concern” but constriction. We call such overwhelming concern, suffocating.
Everything on earth needs space to flourish. Just like the trees in the forest or plants in our flower garden, or vegetable garden need space to expand and grow. We need space, both internal and external, to grow and be healthy. Do you know when we live in a clutter of things or people or emotions or feelings, our spiritual growth will be stunt! For that reason, even spiritual clutter will constrict our growth.
I invite you to declutter your space so that everything is in moderation. I need to say this to myself a thousand times a day to balance my life in this busy world. I wish I could be more graceful to myself and grow “in grace” as Thomas Merton says! I need help. I need to declutter myself in all aspects including my space, my heart, my head, and my body!
Declutter your self in all manner of things: space, heart, head, and body. Then the spirit will be freed to lift up. That’s what Resurrection at the end is.
and I need lots of help in this. Help me, God!