So, as they follow the example of Christ...we follow them.
The first biographical sketch is of a 17th century monk named Brother Lawrence.
Brother Lawrence was born Nicholas Herman, in France, in 1610. His parents believed and followed God closely, and young Nicholas grew up under the teachings of the Gospels. As a young man, he served in the armed forces and went off to war. He was taken prisoner and falsely charged with espionage by German troops. He was shortly thereafter acquitted of those charges, and released. He rejoined his battalion, only to be severely injured in his leg; an injury that would leave him in pain and with a significant limp for the remainder of his life.
After leaving the army, Nicholas encountered God in a profound way, and accepted the teachings of the Gospel and committed himself to walk in the footprints of Jesus Christ at the age of 18. A few years later, he joined a monastery in Paris where he was given the name Brother Lawrence, and where he lived for the rest of his life. His duty for most of his years there was that of cook. After fifteen years, his duties were shifted to the sandal repair shop but, even then, he often returned to the busy kitchen to help out.
Brother Lawrence is known in Christendom as a devotional giant because of what he called "practicing the presence of God". Brother Lawrence did not limit his devotional life to a few minutes with God in the morning, but sought to bring Jesus with him throughout the day as he performed his daily (and humble) duties. Lawrence discovered the joy of a life fully devoted to Christ, and sought to commune with the Lord continuously throughout the day, out of deep and genuine love for Him.
The following are some excerpts from a book entitled "The Practice of the Presence of God". This book is still available today, and I highly recommend you buying it and reading it (see link below). It contains the record of conversations between Lawrence and a good friend, letters written by Lawrence to other friends and associates, as well as a few notes on spiritual devotion written by Lawrence himself.
Read through these, and discover some tips that will help you grow deeper in your walk with Christ:
On making our conversation with God continuous throughout the day (1 Thess 5:17).....
Brother Lawrence related that we should establish ourselves in a sense of God's presence by continually conversing with Him. It was a shameful thing to quit His conversation to think of trifles and fooleries. We should feed and nourish our soul with high notions of God which would yield us great joy in being devoted to Him.
Brother Lawrence said that in order to form a habit of conversing with God continually and referring all we do to Him, we must, at first, apply to Him with diligence. Then, after a little care, we would find His love inwardly draw us to Him without any difficulty.
And why did he practice God's presence....what was his motivation?
I do not advise you to do it from that motive. It is not pleasure which we ought to seek in this exercise. Let us do it from a principle of love, and because it is God's will for us. Were I a preacher, I would, above all other things, preach the practice of the presence of God. Were I a director, I would advise all the world to do it, so necessary do I think it, and so easy too. Ah! knew we but the want we have of the grace and assistance of God, we would never lose sight of Him, no, not for a moment. Believe me. Immediately make a holy and firm resolution never more to forget Him. Resolve to spend the rest of your days in His sacred presence, deprived of all consolations for the love of Him if He thinks fit. Set heartily about this work, and if you do it sincerely, be assured that you will soon find the effects of it.
The emphasis on growing in intimacy with Christ and love for Him, and not just growing in consistency....even of Quiet Times (see yesterday's post):
Brother Lawrence said that many do not advance in Christian progress because they stick in penances and particular exercises (like Quiet Times) while they neglect the love of God which is the end. This appeared plainly by their works and was the reason why we see so little solid virtue. He said there needed neither art nor science for going to God, but only a heart resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but Him and to love Him only.
The foundation of his spiritual life?
Brother Lawrence told me that the foundation of the spiritual life in him had been a high notion and esteem of God in faith (in other words, the revelation of the exalted position of Christ; God in all His glory). When he had once well established his faith he had no other care but to reject every other thought so he might perform all his actions for the love of God. He said when sometimes he had not thought of God for a good while he did not disquiet himself. Having acknowledged his wretchedness to God, he simply returned to Him with so much the greater trust.
On having an awareness of his own sinfulness...
He said he was very aware of his faults, but not discouraged by them. He confessed them to God and made no excuses. Then, he peaceably resumed his usual practice of love and adoration.
These are excerpts from an older version of the book, compiled by Brother Lawrence's friend, Joseph de Beaufort, and later translated into English. I have a copy of a newer, abridged version, published by Whitaker House in 1982. If you would like to buy that book from Amazon (no, I don't get any kickbacks :))....then CLICK HERE.
OK, time for you to hear from the Lord. Today's passage is Acts 7:1-22. Pray, Read, Apply, and Yield. Don't forget to review your memory verses (Psalm 1:1-4).
May the Lord impress Himself upon you, and may He give you the grace to practice His presence throughout your day today! See ya tomorrow!
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