Outside Reading #1: Henri Nouwen "Discernment"

"Nature is not the background to our lives; it is a living gift that teaches us about the ways and will of the Creator." (p. 54)

"It must be clear that God calls me there. Otherwise it can't bear fruit." (p. 107)

"Turning to the Lord fully, unconditionally, and without fear is. He reminds me that I have no lasting dwelling on this earth, that I am a traveler on the way to a sacred place where God holds me in the palm of his hand." (p. 107)

These three quotes were taken from Henri Nouwen's book called Discernment. Throughout the book he meditates upon the concept of discernment in the Christian life. He focuses on specifically hearing and walking in discernement revealed by God. He references to nature as a way of hearing from God. He emphasizes the importance of living in step with the will of God. Nouwen stresses the importance of seeing nature as a living gift that helps with our path to understanding discernment. He sees the significance of nature reflecting God and his character. In the second quote this reminded me of Belden Lane's book on Landscapes of the Sacred and how a place calls to the individual. In the same way Nouwen speaks upon God's calling to place being significant and sacred. Because without that calling it would be essentially meaningless. In the third quote Nouwen speaks about the Christian life being similar to a nomad. Because earth is not seen as a lasting place of dwelling but rather a temporary place that holds until found in the sacred place with God.

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