Written by Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932-1966), a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian. This is an excerpt from his work “Clowning in Rome.”
In solitude…fear and anger can slowly be unmasked as manifestations of a false self, and in solitude they can lose their power in the embrace of God’s love…In solitude we can gradually be led to the truth that we are who God made us to be. Therefore, solitude is a place of conversion. That we are converted from people who want to show each other what we have and what we can do into people who raise our open and empty hands to God in the recognition that all we are is a free gift from God. Thus, in solitude we encounter not only God but also our true self. In fact, it is precisely in the light of God’s presence that we can see who we really are.
In love there can be no fear, but fear is driven out by perfect love [1 John 4:18]
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