A Life Without a Lonely Place

"A life without a lonely place, that is, without a quiet center, easily becomes destructive" (Henri Nouwen, Out of Solitude, p.21).

I believe that it is vitally important for each person to maintain an inner room, a sanctuary in the heart, where they listen. A lonely place, a quiet center of yourself, where no other voices can get in. Without such a place, and without spending time in such a place, we humans beings very easily are persuaded to follow paths of greed, selfishness, and anger.

Just look at Tiger Woods. How easily even the most worldly successful person becomes self-destructive by following the wrong voices, by not stripping himself of all externals and being naked before God, quiet and lonely in solitude and prayer.

My friends, during these busy holiday times, do not let the voices of friends, family, commercials, or the media lead you away from the quiet center of your soul. If any of us need another reminder of the truth, it is here in Tiger Woods: wealth and material possessions can never lead you to happiness. Only Love and commitment and integrity and honesty can do that. And those come from the Spirit of God within you.