A few months ago I picked up a book on Benedictine spirituality titled Ancient Paths by David Robinson. You may be familiar with the Rule of St. Benedict. Rule or regula means measuring stick. Benedict intended the rule to be used to measure the growth and quality of spiritual leadership, shared wisdom, spiritual formation, obedience, and humility. Robinson's point of view intrigued me because he proposed that the contemporary church adopt these same spiritual growth essentials that Benedict integrated into the lives of a cloistered group of sixth century monks.
I've never really thought about the parallels between community life in a monastery and that of the local church, but certainly the operative word here is community.
But have you noticed there are days when it seems it's just easier being a Christian when you are spending time alone? You know, when your office or house is all quiet, you're focused on listening and talking to God, maybe meditating on a Psalm or digging into a letter from the apostle Paul. Or perhaps you are happily organizing a ministry for church-- putting the pieces in place at your computer. By yourself. And you are only relating to you. You can feel all holy inside as well as accomplished: a Mary/Martha all rolled into one.
While alone time is necessary and periods of solitude with God biblical, the struggles to be Jesus to others is exposed in community.
What I like about Robinson's book is the way he articulates the values of St. Benedict's monastic Rule. Sometimes when I struggle in relationships, a few words of wisdom go a long way. While Robinson provided commentary on each of Benedict's five spiritual growth essentials, his words on humility spoke most loudly to me.
"Humility calls us to stand gently upon the earth, to step into the shoes of another, to leave only the trace of Christ's love."
I hope to make this my regula as I care for my family, for my church, and surrounding community.
What helps you measure your quality of care for others?
Measurement of my care giving....
ReplyDeleteThe best care I have been able to share with another has come directly as a result of God's love flowing through me as an expression of unconditional love.
If my eyes and face are turned toward Him, whomever He places in my path will experience His love.
My "care giving" measures best, when I am not measuring...just loving and joyfully giving what I have been given.
In May, 2011, I saw a movie, "Of Gods and Men" it was based on a true story of monks living in war-torn Africa. It was the best movie I have ever seen because of their example of community-in-action as they served others in difficult circumstances. I enjoyed the parallels to the disciples. Most of them paid the ultimate price for the privilege of extending God's love to others and living in true Christian community.
That kind of "community" exists in the presence of unconditional love and I have been blessed to experience it in my church.