Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Creating Space

Glass building arch in east midtown #2
Office building in East Midtown

"It is important, however, to realize that discipline in the spiritual life is not the same as discipline in sports. Discipline in sports is the concentrated effort to master the body so that it can obey the mind better. Discipline in the spiritual life is the concentrated effort to create the space and time where God can become our master and where we can respond freely to God's guidance.

Thus, discipline is the creation of boundaries that keep time and space open for God. Solitude requires discipline, worship requires discipline, caring for others requires discipline. They all ask us to set apart a time and a place where God's gracious presence can be acknowledged and responded to."
-Henri Nouwen


Still mulling over how to make space in my schedule for things that matter most...

1 comment:

Sonja said...

Hmmm... that's a good definition. I have never thought of spiritual discipline in that way. I definitely don't have boundaries in my life to leave room for God's work. I wonder how to do that...