Letters by a Modern Mystic

1. God's Presence: A Minute-by-Minute Pursuit

“But this year I have started out trying to live all my waking moments in conscious listening to the inner voice, asking without ceasing, ‘What, Father, do you desire said? What, Father, do you desire done this minute?’”

Conscious awareness. The core of this journey is a deliberate effort to be aware of God's presence in every moment. It's not about grand gestures, but about a continuous, minute-by-minute focus on seeking God's will. This requires a shift from a passive to an active engagement with the divine.

Practical application:

• Instead of relegating God to specific times or places, integrate Him into every activity.
• Ask, "What would God have me do in this moment?"
• Make it a habit to pause and acknowledge God's presence throughout the day.

Transformative impact. This constant awareness transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. It's about finding the sacred in the mundane, turning every moment into an opportunity for divine connection. This practice is not a burden, but a source of joy and fulfillment.

2. Surrender: The Key to Divine Guidance

“It is exactly that ‘moment by moment,’ every waking moment, surrender, responsiveness, obedience, sensitiveness, pliability, ‘lost in His love,’ that I now have the mind-bent to explore with all my might.”

Complete submission. Surrender is not passive resignation, but an active choice to align one's will with God's. It's about letting go of personal desires and embracing God's plan for each moment. This requires a willingness to be led, even when the path is unclear.

Practical application:

• Make a conscious decision to surrender your will to God each morning.
• Be open to God's guidance in every situation, even the smallest ones.
• Trust that God's plan is better than your own.

Freedom in slavery. Paradoxically, surrendering to God brings true freedom. It's freedom from the burden of self-will and the anxiety of trying to control everything. This freedom allows us to live in peace and joy, knowing that we are in God's hands.

3. Inner Listening: Tuning into God's Voice

“I am feeling God in each movement, by an act of will—willing that He shall direct these fingers that now strike this typewriter—willing that He shall pour through my steps as I walk—willing that He shall direct my words as I speak, and my very jaws as I eat!”

Intentional focus. Inner listening is not about hearing audible voices, but about cultivating a sensitivity to God's subtle guidance. It requires a deliberate act of will to quiet the mind and tune into the inner voice of the Holy Spirit.

Practical application:

• Take time each day for quiet reflection and prayer.
• Ask God to speak to you and be open to His guidance.
• Pay attention to the thoughts, feelings, and intuitions that arise within you.

God's direction. This inner listening is not just about personal guidance, but about aligning our actions with God's will. It's about allowing God to direct our thoughts, words, and actions, transforming us into instruments of His love. This is not a passive process, but an active engagement with the divine.

4. Love in Action: God's Will Through Us

“I feel simply carried along each hour, doing my part in a plan which is far beyond myself.”

Cooperation with God. Living in God's will is not a solitary pursuit, but a collaborative effort. It's about recognizing that we are part of a larger plan and allowing God to work through us. This requires a willingness to be used by God in whatever way He chooses.

Practical application:

• Look for opportunities to serve others and meet their needs.
• Be open to God's leading in your daily interactions.
• Trust that God will use your gifts and talents for His purposes.

Divine partnership. This partnership with God is not just about doing good deeds, but about embodying His love in every aspect of our lives. It's about becoming a channel for God's grace, allowing His love to flow through us to others. This is not a burden, but a privilege and a source of deep joy.

5. Continuous Discovery: God's Ever-Present Nature

“Now that I have discovered Him I find that it is a continuous discovery. Every day is rich with new aspects of Him and His working.”

Ongoing revelation. The journey with God is not a one-time event, but a continuous process of discovery. It's about recognizing that God is ever-present and ever-revealing Himself in new and profound ways. This requires a willingness to remain open and curious.

Practical application:

• Approach each day with a sense of wonder and anticipation.
• Look for God's presence in the ordinary and the extraordinary.
• Be open to new insights and understandings of God's nature.

Dynamic relationship. This continuous discovery is not just about learning new things about God, but about deepening our relationship with Him. It's about growing in love and intimacy with the divine, allowing our understanding of God to evolve and expand. This is not a static relationship, but a dynamic and ever-changing one.

6. The Power of Prayer: Releasing God's Will

“I must plunge into mighty experiments in intercessory prayer, to test my hypothesis that God needs my help to do His will for others, and that my prayer releases His power.”

Intercessory role. Prayer is not just about asking God for things, but about partnering with Him to release His will on earth. It's about interceding on behalf of others, believing that our prayers can make a difference. This requires a deep faith in God's power and a willingness to be His instrument.

Practical application:

• Pray for others with a sincere heart and a belief in God's power.
• Be specific in your prayers, asking God to meet specific needs.
• Trust that God will answer your prayers in His own way and time.

Releasing divine power. This intercessory prayer is not just about changing circumstances, but about releasing God's power into the world. It's about becoming a channel for His grace, allowing His love and healing to flow through us to others. This is not a passive act, but an active engagement with the divine.

7. Transformation Through Fellowship: God's Intimate Friendship

“The most wonderful discovery that has ever come to me is that I do not have to wait until some future time for the glorious hour. I need not sing, ‘Oh that will be glory for me’—and wait for any grave. This hour can be heaven.”

Intimate connection. Fellowship with God is not a distant, formal relationship, but an intimate friendship. It's about experiencing God's presence in a personal and profound way, allowing His love to fill our hearts. This requires a willingness to be vulnerable and open to God's love.

Practical application:

• Spend time with God in prayer and meditation.
• Share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with Him.
• Listen for His voice and be open to His guidance.

Heaven on earth. This intimate fellowship with God transforms our experience of life. It's about finding heaven in the present moment, recognizing that God's presence is the source of true joy and fulfillment. This is not a future hope, but a present reality.

8. The Beauty of Sacrifice: Love's Highest Form

“The beauty of sacrifice is the final word in beauty.”

Selfless giving. Sacrifice is not about deprivation, but about giving up our own desires for the sake of others. It's about choosing love over comfort, and service over self-interest. This requires a willingness to put others first, even when it's difficult.

Practical application:

• Look for opportunities to serve others and meet their needs.
• Be willing to give up your time, energy, and resources for the sake of others.
• Embrace the challenges and sacrifices that come with following God.

Ultimate beauty. This selfless sacrifice is not just a moral imperative, but the highest form of beauty. It's about reflecting God's love in our actions, allowing His grace to shine through us. This is not a burden, but a privilege and a source of deep fulfillment.

9. Finding God in the Mundane: Heaven in Every Hour

“Any hour of any day may be made perfect by merely choosing. It is perfect if one looks toward God that entire hour, waiting for His leadership all through the hour and trying hard to do every tiny thing exactly as God wishes it done, as perfectly as possible.”

Divine potential. Every hour of every day has the potential to be filled with God's presence. It's about recognizing that even the most mundane tasks can be transformed into sacred acts when done with a heart focused on God. This requires a shift in perspective, seeing every moment as an opportunity for divine connection.

Practical application:

• Approach every task with a sense of purpose and intention.
• Ask God to guide you in your work and interactions.
• Strive to do everything to the best of your ability, as an offering to God.

Perfect moments. This focus on God transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. It's about finding heaven in the present moment, recognizing that God's presence is the source of true joy and fulfillment. This is not a future hope, but a present reality.

10. Giving God Away: The Secret to Keeping Him

“I must talk about God, or I cannot keep Him in my mind. I must give Him away in order to have Him.”

Sharing the divine. The more we share our experience of God with others, the more we deepen our own connection with Him. It's about recognizing that God's love is meant to be shared, not hoarded. This requires a willingness to be open and vulnerable about our faith.

Practical application:

• Share your faith with others in a genuine and authentic way.
• Look for opportunities to encourage and uplift those around you.
• Be a witness to God's love in your words and actions.

Spiritual law. This principle of giving to receive is a fundamental law of the spiritual world. It's about recognizing that the more we pour out God's love, the more we are filled with it. This is not a burden, but a privilege and a source of deep joy.

11. The Choice for Christ: A Path of Mystery and Hope

“It’s a choice, and I choose Christ.”

Faith over reason. Ultimately, the journey with God is a matter of faith, not just reason. It's about choosing to believe in Christ, even when the path is unclear and the answers are not always obvious. This requires a willingness to embrace the mystery and trust in God's love.

Practical application:

• Make a conscious decision to follow Christ.
• Trust in God's plan for your life, even when it doesn't make sense.
• Embrace the challenges and uncertainties that come with faith.

Hope in despair. This choice for Christ is not just a personal decision, but a path of hope for the world. It's about recognizing that Christ is the only true source of salvation and that His love can transform even the darkest of situations. This is not a blind leap, but a confident step into the light.

Last updated: January 26, 2025