Leaving Space for God

(Originally posted 5/5/24) 

Do you have a friend that is really hard to get a gift for? A gift they will actually like and appreciate? I have known a few over the years. 

Perhaps this is as innocent as the fact that they simply have superior personal magnetism to attract whatever it is, whenever they wish. But also, there are those who simply accumulate whatever they desire, to a point of excess, and with a consequence of increasing aridity towards anything new - like a child with so many toys that he can’t possibly play with all of them, much less appreciate them beyond a one-time fling. 

An immoderate disposition towards life leaves almost no space to receive anything new, or of any special meaning. 

This image of the friend whom you can’t find an appropriate present for, came to me in meditation this week. Because in so many ways, this is the game that we all play, with God. 

So too does this apply in our own daily, mundane existence, like what we are going to eat for breakfast, or dinner; or what kind of tea that we must drink every day. The presumption that we already know everything that we like (and don’t like!) closes us off to all new possibilities. Our plans for the day, the week, the year. The idea that we know what we are doing, and by golly, that we are going to do it! 

All too often, the plans, hopes, aspirations, tears and fears born of the little self, become the tangible blocks to receiving anything of deeper value, or of truly expansive nature. This is because when we define ourselves based on littleness, like our possessions, desires, and attachments, we leave God no space to shower upon us any yet undiscovered blessings in life. If God’s Nature itself is infinite and ever-new, so too, are His continued blessings for us, as His children. 

What is the solution for how to live our own lives?

Like the friend who already has everything, we must learn how to leave space in our lives. 

How can we receive the perfect birthday gift, if we are already out there buying it for ourselves, or worse, trying to provide others the perfect wedding registry, or Christmas list.

The answer in all of this, is of course, simple: We must become simple. 

Saint Francis did an extraordinary thing when he became wed to Lady Poverty. He took Christ’s words literally, and followed in His footsteps, in the spirit, and in the truth, of his actual life. In a most dramatic scene in the birth of Francis’ own Christ Consciousness, he renounced his name, reputation, wealth and family ties; even the clothes on his back. 

Claiming his Sonship to the Heavenly Father alone, he stood naked before God and man alike.

What is it to become a poor brother or sister of Poverty? It isn’t what the materialist would think. 

Did Francis, in his life of “Poverty”, not yet prove himself to be wealthier than any man of his day, in the gifts and experiences and bliss that he received from God? Certainly, his legacy some 800 years later would indicate as much. 

A deeper aspect of poverty which Francis realized on behalf of us all, is that God can’t give us anything, when we are holding onto everything. 

It is not the things in themselves which pose a problem - it is the personal identification, attachment, or even lust for them, that leads to our ultimate unhappiness. 

The secret formula of Francis, Christ, and all the Masters, is to relinquish the pursuit of a life lived for oneself, that it may instead be lived in cooperation and true abundance with God, and in service to our fellow man. 

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Mathew 6:26

When we pursue this world not for our own gain, but in the universal spirit of righteousness, we find that everything we need does come to us, and that it comes with special blessings, from God. But the only way to learn this is by doing it. By letting go, and letting God. 

Often, however, we are the friend who has so much stuff, in our bedroom, or in our head, that we simply can’t receive any new gifts or good news from our One Beloved. We are simply too busy pursuing our own desired beverage, to be able to receive the fresh spring water or brew of tea that God has in mind, to heal and nourish our thirsty Soul. 

In today’s world, we find increasing complexity in every aspect of life. It makes simplicity of life perhaps the most needful of all qualities, and yet also, one of the most difficult. 

To be simple is to be happy in what you have; to first, find a relationship with God, upon which are provided all basic needs, and to allow the remaining desires within us to be fulfilled by our doing of His Will, not in following the little one. 

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

When we step across that precipice, from a life lived for self, to a life lived in God, we find more gifts heaped upon us than we could ever have imagined. And yet, it is through the diligent, sincere efforts and humility of this very day, whereby we can render these gains whole. 

May we each make space in our lives today, let go of a little more of our little self, that God’s gifts can continue to grow in quality and quantity, overflowing our cup for all to drink with us.