In this audio meditation, Nathan Foster weaves together a selection of beautiful and challenging sayings by 17th-century spiritual director, Jean Pierre de Caussade that invite us to embrace God’s formation deep into our souls.
Show Notes
De Caussade quotes in this episode:
- God speaks to every individual through what happens to them, moment by moment.
- What God arranges for us to experience at each moment is the best and the holiest thing that could happen to us.
- The present moment holds infinite riches beyond your wildest dreams.
- God teaches the soul by pains and obstacles, not by ideas.
- We must offer ourselves to God like a clean, smooth canvas and not worry ourselves about what God may choose to paint on it, but in each moment, feel only the stroke of his brush.
- The soul, light as a feather, fluid as water, innocent as a child, responds to every movement of grace like a floating balloon.
For further reading and listening:
Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast · Episode 291 James Catford — The Present Moment
Friends in Formation · Episode 19 View of God · Reading habits · When to pray for healing
Book: Sacrament of the Present Moment by Jean-Pierre de Caussade
Book Excerpt: Simple Abandonment to the Will of God
Book Excerpt: The Sacrament of the Present Moment
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Nathan Foster
Nathan Foster is an author and host of Life With God, a Renovaré Podcast. Formerly, he was an Associate Professor of social work and served as the Andrews Chair in Spiritual Formation at Spring Arbor University. He was also a licensed clinical social worker and certified addictions counselor. Nathan has published two books, including The Making of an Ordinary Saint: My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual Disciplines.