One cannot approach the knowledge of the truth with a disturbed heart. Therefore we must try to avoid everything that disturbs our heart, that causes forgetfulness, excitement, or passion, or that awakens unrest. We must free ourselves as much as possible from all fuss and flutter and ado over vain things. Yes, when we serve the Lord we shall not be troubled about many things, but always keep in mind that one thing is needful (Luke 10:41).
Quoted in The Way of the Ascetics by Tito Colliander, H/T The Handmaid
3 comments:
I get palpatations, due to anxiety, so disturbance of the heart is something I can relate to! I managed to spend a short time in adoration this morning, before my meeting with the counselor, it certainly calms me and I thought about your earlier post whilst in Church and about what Jesus held in His outstretched hands. I must meditate on His love more, as I seem to have become obsessed with condemnation( not for the first time). Scruples..........or too much time spent alone in my own head!
Charles Wesley puts it wonderfully well in a hymn of impeccable orthodoxy:
And can it be, that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour's blood`?
Died he for me, who caused his pain?
For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
'Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the first-born seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine!
'Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel-minds inquire no more.
He left his Father's throne above,
(So free, so infinite his grace!)
Emptied himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race:
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
No condemnation now I dread,
Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
'He left his Father's throne above,
(So free, so infinite his grace!)
Emptied himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race'
He didn't have to do it, did He? He chose to. I never thought about it like that before. He must love us, because He could have just left us, we wouldn't have been able to do anything about it. It's just the Father I need to get close to, if I can.
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