I’ve been wrestling with writing the intro to the chapter titled Chasing the Sage in my new book under the same name.
The monkeys in the banana tree of my head have been kicking it up for several days with “You’re a poser eeeee eeeeeer ooo ooo ooo eeeeeer!!! Who are you to write about becoming a wise man??? eee eeee eeee oo ooo eeeeee!!!!”
Early yesterday morning I did a 12 mile training run for the marathon I’m running December 6. Later in the day I picked up my worn out copy of Fathered by God, by John Eldredge. I started reading Chapter 8 for about the hundredth time. Like my slow run in the morning I lingered on these two pages.
Slowly my heart began to open, like looking into the fog as a form emerges, and I began to make scribbled notes. Ideas began to connect with truth, personal experiences with a word. Reading was a meditation, very slow, connected to my resting breath, my soul eager to be inspired by God.
What emerged was:
In chasing the Sage there is a letting go of:
- Prominence – the need to be heard.
- Influence – the hunger for approval.
- Ambition – the drive to produce.
In chasing the Sage there is a taking hold with a heart of compassion; forgiveness, grief, generosity. [1]
I am amazed at how the Spirit of God steps into my life when I am most confused; amazed and grateful I am not alone.
[1] Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son