The Question is not how much are you going to accomplish? Or can you show some results? But are you in love with Jesus? In our world of brokeness and despair, there is an enormous need for men and women who know the heart of God; a heart that forgives, cares, reaches out and wants to heal.
Henri NouwenThe spiritual life is a reaching out to our innermost self, to our fellow human and to our God.
Henri NouwenWhen I could no longer cling to my normal supports I discovered that true support and real safety lie far beyond the structures of our world.
Henri NouwenIf we want other people to give us something that only God can give, we become a demon. We say, "Love me!" and before you know it we become violent and demanding and manipulative. It's so important that we keep forgiving one another - not once in a while, but every moment of life.
Henri NouwenOnly in the context of the great encounter with Jesus can a real authentic struggle take place. The encounter with Christ does not take place before, after, or beyond the struggle with our false self and its demons. No, it is precisely in the midst of this struggle that our Lord comes to us and says, as he said to the old man in the story: โAs soon as you turned to me again, you see I was beside you.โ
Henri Nouwen