“Nearness to God brings likeness to God. The more you see God, the more of God will be seen in you. – Charles Spurgeon

What inspires may transform a person. The inspiration may be simple and of little accord to one, bringing another into a holy presence. 

Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), a Carmelite monk known for his intimacy with God, as expressed in the book Practice of the Presence of God, converted to Christianity after seeing a bare tree in the winter and contemplating its renewal in the spring. 

St. Augustine heard the voice of a child singing a song, the words of which were, “Pick it up and read it.”  He thought it was a children’s game, but then realizing it may have been a command from God to open and read the Scripture, he opened the Bible and read the first passage he saw. This passage from Romans flooded his heart with light, and he turned away from his reckless life and was baptized soon thereafter. 

A tree. A child’s song. It changed two hearts and the course of many others, unnamed. What joy there is in God’s continual determination to encounter our hearts. What will inspire you today? 

Look to the Lord and his strength;

seek his face always. -1 Chronicles 16:11 

Prayer

You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. -St. Augustine’s prayer 

“…the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think.”-Brother Lawrence