Whose child am I?

“Knowledge of ourselves teaches us whence we come, where we are and whither we are going. We come from God and we are in exile; and it is because our potency of affection tends towards God that we are aware of this state of exile.” 

-Jan van Ruysbroeck

Like the story of the prodigal son in the Bible, Easwaran tells of a legend--*a story of a prince who is kidnapped by robbers when he is very young. He forgets all about the palace, even about his father and mother. He just grows up as a bandit, learning to master the bow and arrow, ambush passersby, and disappear without getting caught.

Then one day the king's spiritual teacher happens by.

Many years have passed; the little child is a grown man, rough and cocksure. But the teacher recognizes him, and with great love embraces him, and calls him "your royal highness." The young man, outraged, pushes him away.

But the teacher's faith is unshaken. He begins to tell the young man stories about his childhood, how life used to be in the palace. Gradually the prince begins to remember.

Finally, the young man’s memory clears. He draws himself up: "Now I recall," he says slowly, as if awakening from a dream. "I'm not a bandit. I simply forgot who I was."

Truly a prince, he goes home to his father and mother.*

in thearmsofjesus We are all children of God, but we've forgotten who we are.  I see my time of solitude in prayer and contemplation as the daily pursuit of what is for myself my essence, my true identity. I must retreat in silence so the Holy Spirit can once more remind me who I am, moreover-“Whose I am”… Muhammad-peace and blessings be upon him- said, “The polish of the heart is the remembrance of God.” Although I am not a child of Islamic tradition, I know that this word is true…each morning, I am called upon to seek the Spirit in silent prayer. In effect, to polish the heart, so I can remember my Lord and my God.

Jesus command was for us to “seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness”…in order to make that seeking first, I believe I am to seek his word, his Spirit, his presence in my heart and mind—first thing, each day. Just like the tithe of earnings, I am to attend to my heart and mind first thing—to give him my time in prayer, just as I am to give him my “first fruits” from any monetary payments I have received.

It is simplistic, I realize, but in these practices I seek to honor and to prioritize the One whose child I am. I pray that He will bless this practice.

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