More from ..."The Sacred Way"

Still on a reading binge...almost half way through "The Sacred Way" by Tony Jones.

Henri Nouwen said, In the spiritual life, the word “discipline” means “the effort to create some space in which God can act.” Discipline means to prevent everything in your life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere you’re not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied. In the spiritual life, discipline means to create that space in which something can happen that you hadn’t planned or counted on. Jones, Tony (2010-12-07). The Sacred Way (p. 32). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

I like that space...room for God to work.  Discipline is not one of my favorite words. It is kind of in the same category as diet, work, cooked carrots, and chores.  All words that don't evoke happy images.  But when viewed from the angle of creating space or room for God to enter, then discipline takes on new meaning.

It is more like getting the books cleared away from the kitchen table before having close friends over to the house to share a meal.  It is not so much that I don't want friends to see the mess I can create.  It is more that I want us to have the room to enjoy time together.  That is the point really when it comes to spiritual disciplines...room for God to act as he sees fit.

Lord Jesus--In this day, help me create space for you to join me in.