We love this woman. She is a Chinese nun and we don’t know whether hers is a Buddhist or Christian faith, but she speaks to our hearts. She chose devotion. Alone, on her way back to her convent, no car, no escort, no frills! What does she seek, we wonder? With glad hearts we rejoice today to know Whom we seek, and we give thanks that such knowledge is privileged and it is very high and it is not of our own divining. Neither is is exclusive, a secret to be hoarded, or a lifestyle to set us apart without the responsibility to make welcome all we meet.
If we met this monastic, perhaps we could share with her the living faith that is ours, and perhaps she would rejoice to meet “Sisters” in the faith. Certainly, she could teach us a great deal about a life closed in with God. For her and for us, if we know the Son, we know the Father. (John 14:7)
Sometimes we need to take a look at what we are NOT doing here. We aren’t after solitude for its own sake, even though in our busy, noisy, intrusive world, a little path like hers intrigues us. We aren’t seeking religious experience, and we certainly aren’t trying to make God like us better. There is no doubt that one of the most precious, certainly the most priceless, aspects of life in Christ is that we know God is not going to love us any more or less than He did when He gave His Son to die for the world He so loves. (John 3:16) We are trying not to try to obtain more love than that, because it would be a big waste of time. We can, however, fellowship with Him more and better, and that fellowship can grow until we become an “aroma” of Christ in the earth. (2 Corinthians 2:14 and 15)
Our devotion here in Cor Unum, there where you are and here in this shared monastery, is to the fulness of Christ, to learn to do all that we do for His sake, to know and enjoy Him more and to seek Him ever faithfully. We don’t strive to be loved better, but better to love the Father in and through His Son. Better to love this woman and all those that share our path. We know that we can listen more carefully to His Spirit than we often do as He speaks to us (Hebrews 3:7,) His Word can dwell in us more richly than it does (Colossians 3:16,) and we can give Him thanks and worship Him even more faithfully day by day (Philippians 3:3,) and not just a checklist “more,” but the priceless “in all things” more.
All this will take a little forethought and decision, and it will require time and steadfastness. Something will probably have to give way, but beyond doubt, if we haven’t time for God, something needs to be dislodged. Three hundred sixty-two more days in this year, alone. We can do it!
What vows did this woman make in order to enter the convent at the top of the stair? We don’t know, but this is the only vow we will ever have to make …
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. (Psalm 27:8, KJV)
John 14:7 … If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” (NASB)
Hebrews 3:7, 8 … Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says,
“Today if you hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts …” (NASB)
Colossians 3:16 … Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Philippians 3:3 … For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,and who put no confidence in the flesh.
photo used by permission
Cor Unum Abbey 