Nouwen: The Dynamics of the Spiritual Life
“Our emotional lives and our spiritual lives have different dynamics. The ups and downs of our emotional life depend a great deal on our past or present surroundings. .
Our spiritual life is the life of the Spirit of God within us. The ups and downs of our spiritual lives depend on our obedience - that is, our attentive listening - to the movements of the Spirit of God within us…We are and remain, whatever our moods, God's beloved children.” Henri Nouwen, Henri Nouwen Society, Daily Meditation, July 26, Bread for the Journey, A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith.
I need to read this every day and share with spiritual friends. Our spiritual connection to God is always there even when we do not feel it. Nadia Bolz-Weber compares God in Accidental Saints to the “thief who comes in the night” (Matthew 24:36, 40, 42-44), breaking in when we least expect him and may not be prepared. God is always desperately, relentlessly searching to be connected to us says the English poet, Francis Thompson in The Hound of Heaven. Our emotional life may be different and depends on relationships, moods, our chemistry, our physical and mental health, outside forces, and God knows what! It is so important to remember what Nouwen is telling us that our emotional and spiritual are not the same. God is always there no matter where our emotions are, up or down.
Joanna joannaseibert.com