Post by Jim Chandler on Jun 13, 2007 18:49:51 GMT -5
BEYOND MYSELF
To get at the core of God at his greatest, one must first get into the core of himself at the least, for no one can know God who has not first known himself. Go to the depths of the soul, the secret place of the Most High, to the roots, to the heights; for all that God can do is focused there. MEISTER ECKHART
One day, long, long ago, secure in my self-sufficient fortress, I began a search beyond myself.
Why, where, how or when I would get there I did not know.
I only knew that I had to go, I had to see, I had to dare.
A voice was calling me to a distant shore, to a consuming flame - or to salvation.
In the beginning I trembled, the unknown was vast, it had demons lurking.
Like a thunderclap the demons emerged from within myself where they lay hiding.
My ego and pride snarled as I grew closer. But if I were afraid to dare, afraid to look within, within myself
A craven coward I would always be – trembling.
A leap into darkness, I walk down, down into the valley.
Thy rod and staff, they comfort me. Father! Hold my hand!
A fear faced is a fear undone. Pride! Where are your horns?
Hold your head high as you walk your walk to that distant shore!
The journey expands my universe, my prejudices and my courage.
New friends smile their greeting, new experiences beckon.
For this is truth, living begins here, love is not far away.
I sense that ecstasy is close at hand, just over the hill.
This day I am in the magic kingdom of dreams very far beyond myself.
I look back in wonder and awe, and tears begin to flow.
In the distant past I see myself, a fearful creature cringing there, cringing from the light. The voice said. “This is my Grace given freely to you.”
I was immersed in the awesome glow of love that I could not see until I had journeyed beyond myself.
But the fearful creature could not hear the voice.
I held out my Arms and asked the Holy Spirit to stop time. Allow me to hear.
Then I heard the voice, sweeter than the singing of birds in the morning sun.
“This is my Grace given freely to you.” Now, I am awash in joy.
James Darwin Chandler
To get at the core of God at his greatest, one must first get into the core of himself at the least, for no one can know God who has not first known himself. Go to the depths of the soul, the secret place of the Most High, to the roots, to the heights; for all that God can do is focused there. MEISTER ECKHART
One day, long, long ago, secure in my self-sufficient fortress, I began a search beyond myself.
Why, where, how or when I would get there I did not know.
I only knew that I had to go, I had to see, I had to dare.
A voice was calling me to a distant shore, to a consuming flame - or to salvation.
In the beginning I trembled, the unknown was vast, it had demons lurking.
Like a thunderclap the demons emerged from within myself where they lay hiding.
My ego and pride snarled as I grew closer. But if I were afraid to dare, afraid to look within, within myself
A craven coward I would always be – trembling.
A leap into darkness, I walk down, down into the valley.
Thy rod and staff, they comfort me. Father! Hold my hand!
A fear faced is a fear undone. Pride! Where are your horns?
Hold your head high as you walk your walk to that distant shore!
The journey expands my universe, my prejudices and my courage.
New friends smile their greeting, new experiences beckon.
For this is truth, living begins here, love is not far away.
I sense that ecstasy is close at hand, just over the hill.
This day I am in the magic kingdom of dreams very far beyond myself.
I look back in wonder and awe, and tears begin to flow.
In the distant past I see myself, a fearful creature cringing there, cringing from the light. The voice said. “This is my Grace given freely to you.”
I was immersed in the awesome glow of love that I could not see until I had journeyed beyond myself.
But the fearful creature could not hear the voice.
I held out my Arms and asked the Holy Spirit to stop time. Allow me to hear.
Then I heard the voice, sweeter than the singing of birds in the morning sun.
“This is my Grace given freely to you.” Now, I am awash in joy.
James Darwin Chandler