Contemplation in the Shadowlands

  Having finished the record of Margery Kempe last year and bits of St. Hildegard intermittently, I find myself fascinated — and, consequently — plunged into the fascination of the medieval female mystics. While I'm technically a newcomer, I simply cannot get enough. I find their writings total respite from the concerns and fears so prevalent (moreso with the strife of Time) in this world. This life is so very brief and, while  blessed, burdened with the looming actuality that I am truly "...but dust." I'm thankful for trials as without them, the Deception of this age might conceal my own mortality; this Valley I presently walk is truly a Shadowland, and Pain is, as C. S. Lewis put so aptly, "...a megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

  So, I am onto Julian or Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love and, again, what a breath of fresh air; as I pray throughout the text, reading its content is like ceaseless prayer. I feel vastly undisciplined in the area of contemplative prayer, but am strongly drawn to it. I truly believe my whole makeup was designed for the contemplative life in whatever form He wills---which, at present,  seems to be right where I am.

  In a nutshell, contemplative prayer focuses less on supplication and more on the Being of God; in coming to Him "empty," we fill our soul in the signification that we come only for His presence. To me, this is such a beautiful thing as I tend to release the mindset that I am to come to Him verbally, requesting forgiveness, praying for lost souls, etc. And of course, there is ample place for such (it's technically a command). However, I feel some cause of that is unconsciously feeling that I must come to Him somewhat postured and polished. I am praying to ebb from (by God's grace) that mentality as there is nothing I can do to earn His love. I know this truth technically, but want it to so pervade my heart as to reach every possible facet of emotion and cavern of subconsciousness. 

  Prayer, Julian of Norwich writes, is simply a "... lasting will of the soul united and fast-bound to the will of God by the precious and mysterious working of the Holy Ghost."

  It is a continuous gesture of our love for the One whose love never diminishes, whatever His true children do (even His discipline is borne of love).

  "The greatest honor we can give Almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of his love." ~ Julian of Norwich

  The opportunity to give Him honor is such a vast and profound thing, yet it gives the appearance of doing nothing. Sitting or lying in the quiet, isolated from everything and everyone even for minutes at a time adds absolutely nothing to resumes, social status/life, and leaves nothing to show at Bible study groups or church teams, It is a private response that He alone sees and honors---and for this, Julian calls it a method of honor most pleasing to Him.  For that reason, I am so inspired. To walk by faith and not by sight. To offer Him just a tiny bit of all that He has given. To offer my own feelings of unworthiness and turn from self to Savior. 

  Leonard Ravenhill wrote something that really struck me recently: 

"Five minutes inside eternity and we will wish that we had sacrificed more, wept more, grieved more, loved and prayed more, and given more."

  What a priority-changer. Daily, this is a struggler/necessary reminder. 

  This brother also adds a lot of insight into the contemplative life; I highly recommend his channel:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TJb70MgG3us

  Finally, you can find both books mentioned on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Book-Margery-Kempe-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140432515/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20NTYV82LBFOR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CNMh5hcD5E5lJPey6f5p0-2_oFguk5pUhG62_TMQlTFq7B_XmTw8qhUR5-FxmNlI.fEtN4P0eKSwMCBXO2_Vb6iYZ8rAtYQnTwKtDWiT0asg&dib_tag=se&keywords=mergery+kempe&qid=1739373155&sprefix=margery+kempe%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Revelations-Divine-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199641188/ref=sr_1_3?crid=GO4QSSUDB61M&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8jEptLCoG7KM3Ca9vN0cg0GVp-ODB04RrjXOjOjq6fXjfEtvW83KzxUjSSs0xvbq5EcoU1vxbBkLREGlpGzT7tcEup9SpBugjyTLJVzWHEtE2kouk6WMhJHMZoVsESW7tHkJByc2kSjszQvy_WtoWwI_nZkVjTdc4hOfg5Qo4jadsrfm6hLNr2ZSrK22bm_NNo6SeNRQYT_tNKA7IwQ8Z280hmqEm_H5CQiSzNHI_PPJce_onuVEV2ZKa5npd2l8vrM1_ZLxCrVm4yOn4ZUHCeS30SLeJeyX2wpadlrXMI9NbjgogU0nQSA8ZY-gMu4uSNK6cAj-XHXeBakXY1VL8Q3VhWFtGnrAd72eRu4v5aZys6j_28Wbnbv9Qvzh6PMG0TaosX9dsPRMd6wA_MyQRtvRR3ZKJrlN4RqpZjxZRjHI9_PxNGptFDxUaKuvVnQ3.vka3I8t4NBs3MibM76VJAZUbLSuVXqoUcO6VeqlIQu0&dib_tag=se&keywords=julian+of+norwich&qid=1739373208&sprefix=julian+of+norwich%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-3

  Dear brothers and sisters, how is God working in your life---and what is He teaching you?

Blessings,
Whitney



Comments

  1. awriterslife96February 16, 2025 at 6:30 AM

    I appreciate the insights of your post, dear sister. In general, the medieval mystics add much to your discussion. I hope you do your master's thesis on the mystics of that time. I hope Margery Kempe and the other female spirituals of that era continue to inspire your walk with God.
    You should also consider reading the Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature by C. S. Lewis at some point. I wish your studies well.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownFebruary 16, 2025 at 7:13 AM

      That's so sweet, Joshua. OK, I think The Discarded Image and Till We Have Faces will be my next two "spiritual" reads! Thanks for the encouragement 🙏 ❤️! I'm hoping to do my thesis on that, too.

      Do you have a favorite mystic?

      Delete

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