“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42
I heard this saying: I’m a Martha with the heart of a Mary. I might even have said that about myself. Desiring to be at Jesus’ feet means to give up the doing to be seen, and accepted.
What is Contemplation?
Contemplation is the practice of contemplative seeking and awareness of the divine which transcends the intellect. Contemplation could also relate to prayer and meditation. This practice results in the mystical awareness of God’s presence.
An advanced experience of belonging to God. This practice is a passive experience. A deep awareness that God is doing all the work. You are only deeply aware that nothing you can do in yourself will achieve this Union with God.
Laying Down Martha
Over the years of my contemplative practice, I discovered how much I am in performance mode. If only I do, then I can achieve or even receive from God. Contemplating on the Divine Love of the Father makes me so aware that this truly is the place of Rest. It is Mary at the feet of Jesus, the better way that won’t be taken away.
It’s when Union with God is no longer in the spirit alone, but all your members as one become one with the unceasing flow of love. Drinking from the everlasting river of life. You are deeply conscious that you are beginning to walk through life as He would live it. No longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.
You have learned to abandon all your desires. You have no more need or wants, no longer your plans, but rather a surrender of will, one with His will. Oneness with Him, not moving but rather, being moved, not deciding, or doing but rather not knowing what’s to come. This union state is an entirely different way of living life through the leading of the sons by Holy Spirit.
Unification and Integration
Last week I spoke about the wilderness experience or dark night of the soul. Why is it so important to go through the healing of our soul?
Remember, God, abides where there is unity. When we are out of union with ourselves, we struggle to practice union with God. Bringing the soul through the darkness into the light is part of oneness and rest. It’s in this place where healing takes place. Where the soul fully understands being reconciled with her maker.
This process of contemplation requires an outward silence. The soul wants to judge and bring understanding, wants vengeance for the pain caused, but contemplation brings balance and healing. The focus is on God, His divine love, healing, reconciliation, belonging, and restoration, of all things back to Him.
Outward silence causes a deep inward connection. You no longer live from the outside in but from the inside out.
“Therefore, behold, I will allure Israel and bring her into the wilderness, And I will speak tenderly to her [to reconcile her to Me]. Hosea 2:4
In Hosea, we see how the lover will allure her to the wilderness in the same way Jesus was led, into the wilderness. Many assume this place means empty or desolate. I want to say it is the opposite. There might be nothing of the world, and we can stop being busied by things and find rest. It’s in this place you find the fullness of your maker, lover, and healer. He whispers to her tenderly drawing her back to her first love. Silence, there is but only one world, interior engagement with God.
A gentle reminder, as we walk through a moment of weakness, we become as it were uncentered. An immediate gentle turn again inward to the consuming fire of love within.
Feast at the Table
Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, Like, pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant? Song of Solomon 3:6
She comes out of the wilderness rising with the smoke and perfumes. Her fragrance rises into the heart of her Beloved. As she sits at the table abiding with Him. The hardness of her soul dissolved with every tender word spoken. No longer a heart of stone but flesh.
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you, and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
Smoke and powders are no longer fixed, it is fluid and aromatic vapor coming forth, greeting the sacred presence. The table set before you is your feast. Your enemies no longer become the focus of your feast but the table He set before you is your focus.
Laid down lover, the soul ascends to God, by giving up self to the power of divine love.
