Increasingly, we are seeing that to survive this present age with soul intact, the modern Christian must become someone who can:
- Learn how to tune out the world and tune into the Spirit no matter what is happening around them. Our attention is our greatest commodity and sets the course and quality of our lives, but only we can choose what to invest it in.
- Embrace the uncertainty and mystery of our faith even when faced by the voices of fear and hopelessness in the world. Fear can hijack our minds in an instant, but learning how to quiet one’s soul and rest in God is the practiced, learned behavior of trust .
- Intentionally set the personal limits and boundaries that will protect both their chosen community and their own spiritual growth. Being busy and having more of everything is seen as a sign of personal success in our society, but it corrodes our joy even as it robs us of precious time with the people that matter most.
- Choose to take the path of Christ and His Cross even when the worldly voices of influencers and politicians seem more “powerful.” Believing that Jesus’ way of getting things done really is the better way has very real consequences on who we choose to listen to and the kinds of advice we will follow.
- Rediscover the ancient pathways through the wilderness along with other faithful travelers. We do not find safe passage on our own, nor do we learn how to avoid the traps and snares in isolation. The Contemplative path cannot be done effectively without others to show us the way and to help carry us when our souls are weary.