In today's devotion, Nouwen writes, "To live a spiritual life does not mean that we must leave our families, give up our jobs, or change our ways of working..." (pg. 24)
But in yesterday's devotion Nouwen writes, "We don't mind paying attention to poor people from time to time; but descending to a state of poverty and becoming poor with the poor, that we don't want to do. And that is the way Jesus chose as a way to know God..." (pg. 19-20)
On the one hand, we don't have to give up everything to live spiritually. On the other, becoming poor with the poor is to know God.
Huh?
Levi left everything.
What about his commitments? What about his family? Did he become poor with the poor? Did he have to leave everything to live spiritually? Or was his a unique, individual calling...like a burning bush?
So I'm caught between the abundance I have in Christ and the sacrifice that is the cross.
Should I become poor with the poor? Or should I try to live spiritually without giving up everything?
Nothing we have is ours any way. Right?
Which path do you recommend? Why?
