I read this quote the other day and it spoke to me.
Let me try to interpret what I think it is saying.
“Let us, then, labor for an inward stillness-
labor means work. so we work and center in on purpose.
an inward stillness and an upward healing,
meaning I quiet myself internally and then I reach up to receive.
that perfect silence where the lips and heart are still,
again I quiet myself and move away from noise.
and we no longer entertain our own imperfect thoughts,
I do not try to fill in the blanks or figure it out.
and vain options,
non helpful or non productive that have no purpose.
but God alone speaks to us,
we know his voice and we listen.
and we wait in singleness of heart,
a heart attitude that is not divided.
that we may know His will,
we listen and become sure
and in the silence of our spirits,
again being quiet
that we may do His will and do that only.
which speaks relationship and focus.
Let us then labor for an inward stillness – an inward stillness and an upward healing,
that perfect silence where the lips and heart are still, and we no longer entertain our own imperfect thoughts, and vain options, but God alone speaks to us, and we wait in singleness of heart, that we may know His will, and in the silence of our spirits, that we may do His will and do that only.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Reminding me of the verse:
Psalm 46:10
Be Still and Know that I am God.
Stillness is a wonderful thing. I loved the quote and your interpretation.
Sharon, I've never read any of Longfellow's words quite like that. Thank you for sharing.
Sharon. Beautiful words. Much needed today. Thank you. God bless you.