“It is for eternity that I would exhort you to acquire travel-supplies…meaning by travel-supplies, virtue.” – St. Basil, (To Young Men on How They Might Derive Profit from Pagan Literature)
“Each one should watch himself, note what helps him, keep at hand together his remedies for the sickness of the soul and not hesitate to go back and back to the same antidote.”- Sertillanges, The Intellectual Life.
As I have navigated the twisting paths of life and faith, my daily Scripture reading has often felt like driving in an interpretive fog. I have long sought something to expose the truth of the world and say it plainly. Thus, when seeking supplemental material for spiritual formation, I longed for something specific that would bring Biblical teachings practically into the grittier corners of my life. Though I certainly appreciate a grand, sweeping view of cosmic truths, I often find myself wondering how these truths can overlay the daily grind. As a result, my heart clung to a handful of authors, continually referring to them in moments of bewilderment.
After reading the classic prerequisites, Lewis’s Mere Christianity and Augustine’s Confessions, I went to my wise and faithful grandfather for advice. Over espresso, as we discussed what books had most heavily influenced his Christian walk, he pulled out two little pocket-sized books: The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawerence (94 pages and only about 5×4”) and Talking with God by Francois Fenelon (142 pages.) Brother Lawrence lived from 1614 to 1691; after sustaining injuries in the Thirty Years’ War, he became a monk at a Carmelite monastery in Paris. Often sought out for spiritual advice, Brother Lawrence wrote extensively on peace in letters which were later published as The Practice of the Presence of God. Francois Fenelon, 1651-1715, was a Catholic Archbishop, poet, and theologian. Active in the French court, he was a significant mentor to many aristocrats and sought to serve the peasants of his diocese. His writings on prayer have found a wide audience in many traditions.
I highly recommend Brother Lawrence and Francois Fenelon as spiritual mentors from which to glean wisdom for your back pocket. Their beautifully concise writings are antidotes to soul sickness. Through their approaches to life’s nuances and the Christian walk, they make excellent company for reading the New Testament. In The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence elucidates how “dwelling with Christ” can relate to daily life, saying, “When we are willing to accept God’s help and guard our souls according to His desires, we may commune with Him whenever we like.”
The biographical portion of this book, written by Lawrence’s friend Joseph de Beaufort, illustrates Lawrence’s attitude towards conversation with God:
“When he considered doing some good deed, he always consulted God about it saying, ‘Lord, I will never be able to do that if you don’t help me.’ If he sinned, he would say, ‘I can do nothing better without you. Please keep me from falling and correct the mistakes I make.’ Brother Lawrence spoke simply and frankly. He simply told God that it was His affair. We should offer our work to Him before we begin and thank Him afterward for the privilege of having done it for His sake.”
This scenario provides a liturgy of the heart for any ordinary task, painting a vivid picture of surrender. As a whole, the book is both portable and approachable, offering a practical perspective on prayer life and showing how every action can point our hearts to God.
In Fenelon’s Talking with God, the table of contents goes to show the range and specificity of topics. If you have a particular trouble, especially one with a Puritan flavor, it is very likely to be featured in this book. Fenelon covers an incredible range of issues in the Christian life, such as “When Feelings Fail Us,” “Meeting Temptations,” “Listening to God Rather than Self,” and “The Miracle of Self-Denial.” If any of these titles strike a chord, consider engaging with them because, while short, they are worth chewing on for a long time. In contemplating how a connection with our heavenly father should look, this quote from Fenelon’s book greatly affected my understanding of relationships with God and others:
“The first effect of a sincere love is an earnest desire to know all that we ought to do to gratify the one we love. Our union with God must be the result of our faithfulness in doing and enduring all that he wills for us.”
Meditating on this truth and having it repeatedly on the heart begins to frame our outlook on the world, and what seems theoretical will soon bleed into the practical down-to-earth actions of daily life. Adopting this outlook, I have thought more deeply about how I can demonstrate my love for God and in so doing, act on my love for the people around me.
This passage from Fenelon is a beautiful frame for the Christian life, encouraging both obedience out of affection and endurance for earnest desire. When discouragement comes and simple truth from a friend is needed, Lawrence and Francois are a deep well of wisdom to easily dip into on our travels.
