Written by John of the Cross (1542-1591), a Spanish priest and reformer of the Carmelite way of life. This is an excerpt from his book “Loving God Through the Darkness.”
Endeavor to be inclined always:
Not to the easiest, but to the most difficult;
Not to the most delightful, but to the most distasteful;
Not to the most gratifying, but to the less pleasant;
Not to what means rest for you, but to hard work;
Not to the most, but to the least;
Not to the highest and most precious, but to the lowest and most despised;
Not to wanting something, but to wanting nothing.
Prayer:
Written by Annie McGuire, a contemporary Bible teacher and ministry leader.
Dear Lord, please tune my ear to your voice today. I want to be sensitive to your Spirit. Quiet the noise of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Soothe my soul with your still small voice. Allow me to hear your words above the relentless roars of the enemy. Silence my inner critic and help me to stay firmly planted on the solid ground of truth. Amen.
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