In this edition of Thrive, given the focus on wisdom literature, I am going to share some pearls of wisdom each weekend, that I gathered over the years from a range of authors. Today, some gleanings from a humble lay monk called Brother Lawrence who served in the kitchen of a Carmelite monastery in Paris in the seventeenth century:
He said that we should establish ourselves in a sense of God’s Presence by continually communing with Him. He said that we ought to relate to God in the greatest simplicity, speaking to Him frankly and plainly, and imploring His assistance in our affairs as they happen. In his experience, God never failed to grant help. The same was true of his work in the kitchen (to which he had a natural aversion). He proceeded to do everything there for the love of God, praying continually for God’s grace to do his work well. In this manner he had found everything easy during the fifteen years that he had been employed there. The set times of prayer were no different for him than other times. He secluded himself to pray, according to the directions of his Superior. But he did not need such solitude, nor did he ask for it. Even the busiest work did not distract him from his communion with God.
Brother Lawrence reminds me that God does not want an intermittent relationship with us, but a constant one. He is speaking to you all the time.
Ask God to make you more aware of his presence throughout your day.
Read Romans 5:1-5.
