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A book by Robert Weston
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This publication aims to make intimacy with God seem
achievable, rather than something just for mystics.
It is
practical, personal and loving - a reflection of the heart
of the author.
(David Barratt - Author of CS Lewis and his
World).Robert
brings together many insights and spiritual experiences
from centuries of Christian tradition to help every
Christian to come to a deeper intimacy with God.
(Rev Sandy
Millar, Vicar, HTB)
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Click on the chapter number to access the relevant
section. |
| He has made everything
beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the
hearts of men.
(Ecclesiastes 3:11) |
SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS AGO a book called L’Abbaye Sans Murs (The
Abbey without Walls) was published. At a time when people who felt
drawn to be close to the Lord were expected to withdraw to
monasteries or convents, this book took the unusual step of
encouraging people to deepen their life of devotion while at the
same time remaining fully involved in the world. Intimacy and
Eternity aims to be a modern-day equivalent, to meet the needs of
Christians who are longing to bridge the gap between their desire to
be close to the Lord and the comparatively low level of spiritual
life they experience most of the time.
Although the ability to remain close to the Lord can only be the
work of grace, the Lord can help us to develop frameworks that will
aid the flow of His Holy Spirit in our lives. In the process, we
shall examine and demystify many of the ways by which the Lord leads
the soul on its pilgrimage.
Intimacy with God is such an all-embracing theme that I have, of
necessity, had to be highly selective in what I have included. I
have not, for instance, spent much time considering how our
spiritual life is sharpened by the everyday rubbing that comes from
normal healthy fellowship. Neither have I attempted to say anything
about sacramental approaches to intimacy because the treasure-trove
of Christian literature is already full of such teaching.
I have incorporated a number of personal stories, on the assumption
that most of us assimilate teaching best when it comes wrapped in
real-life experience. Given the very real danger of the reader
becoming tired of the ever-present first person pronoun, I hope the
snippets I have included will serve in much the same way that
scaffolding does during the construction of a building: as an aid
to make the main themes accessible.
In all honesty, this is not a book to skim-read. The teaching takes
us quickly into topics we will want to ponder deeply and to apply
prayerfully. To help us do this I have made each chapter as nearly
self-standing as possible, and have included opportunities at the
end of each chapter to pause and pray. The key to benefiting from
these devotional interludes is to approach them slowly, so that what
the Lord shows us may take root in our hearts. I pray that He will
draw close to each one of you as you make your way through this
inner pilgrimage!
The Path to Intimacy
Let me describe various conditions, and see if they in any way
mirror your own experience.
You are hungry for God, yet no longer
find the fulfilment you once did in the things you used to enjoy so
much.
You sense a growing dissatisfaction in your spirit. Even
worship times have begun to feel shallow and hollow.
You are afraid
to voice these thoughts in case you sound negative or judgmental –
especially since you feel in some ways as though you are bearing
less fruit now than you once were.
You are at a loss to know why
this should be the case, since your desire to meet with the Lord
remains as strong as it has ever been. |
Be reassured! This longing to
know God better, combined with a certain inner discontent, is a
necessary prelude to going deeper with Him. As we shall see,
wilderness times have a crucial role to play in the development of
the soul.
Others of you, by contrast, are seeking the Lord with eagerness and
expectation for Him to show you the next step in your life. You are
aware that He is stirring you up, urging you to broaden your
horizons, and to branch out into some new sphere of service.
Which of these categories most nearly speaks to your condition: an
inner discontent with the spiritual status quo? A longing to escape
from the rut you feel you are in? Or a great excitement in your
heart because the Lord is leading you in new ways and making you
more open and receptive to His promptings? These are just some of
the starting points God may be using to draw you into a more rounded
intimacy with Himself.
For Reflection
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should
be called children of God.
And that is what we are! . . .
What we
will be has not yet been made known.
But we know that when He
appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
(1 John 3:1-2) |
The Lord’s leading is both sure and surprising. Is it not delightful
to consider the stages by which He led men such as Moses, Peter and
Paul to a deeper knowledge of Himself? Their early years afforded
little or no indication of all the Lord would accomplish through
them in later life. We never know what we will become in Him – but
the more we seek Him now, the easier He will find it to lead us
tomorrow.
Selah
Lord, You are calling me to live
closer to Your heart.
Prepare me to
be able to do this.
As I read these chapters and meditate on their
themes,
set my heart free to hear what You are saying to Me.
Warm me
to that which is important for me to understand.
Free me from my prejudices and inspire me to be more open to the promptings of your
Spirit.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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