9. My Friend Thomas

Thomas À Kempis was a monk who lived all his life in what is now The Netherlands. He was born in Kampen in 1379, and then with his brother went to school in Deventer. It was in Deventer that he met the Brothers of the Common Life, a new order founded by Gerard Groote. These godly men were clearly a profound witness to him, such that in about 1399, he entered the Mount St Agnes Monastery. He was ordained as a priest in 1406. He stayed with the community all his life virtually never leaving the monastery. He died in 1471.

This man came from a very different culture to us. Cloistered, in pre-Reformation times, with a somewhat different theology, yet there is a freshness in the writing of this Mediaeval Dutch priest that has made me tremble.

Thomas had discovered, or rather had been given the gift, of "listening to God". In the opening sentences of the Prologue I described how I met Thomas. There in November 1987, in that Qantas 747 jet, with a fresh translation of his work, I felt as though as he was sitting next to me. I seemed to be an eavesdropper on an intimate conversation between a man and his God, but more, between a man and his most intimate lover. Now I don't profess to be a modern day Thomas À Kempis, far from it, but his example is to share personal experience of conversational prayer.

Today, I have an even newer translation (The Imitation of Christ published by Ave Maria Press, 1989), and his words still come fresh. Thomas À Kempis reminded me that our precious Lord wants to have a daily walking and talking conversational relationship with us. The secret to this is listening to the voice of the Lord in your soul. People hear the voice of God in many ways. Thomas À Kempis learned to put words to the inner voice, and found that this allowed them to come faster and with clarity.

So, by the grace of God, this has become my experience too. It begins with the faith that our Lord wants to speak to us, and then the realisation that we can't even turn to him unless we are nudged and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when you or I feel a need to pray, or to reach out and open the scriptures, we are sensing within our soul the Holy Spirit of God. I began by putting words to this nudging. "It's time to pray, my son", or, "Reach out and open your Bible, there are things that I want to show you." Many times, it seems that the Lord is telling me to stop talking, to know his presence, and to let him run the conversation by his agenda rather than my own.

When I first began to learn how to listen to the Lord, his words came one and two at a time - and they would run round and round in my mind. The exercise of writing them down seemed to free the Spirit to move on to the next word or phrase, almost as though there was a confidence that I had registered the first ones. This technique - like a "prayer diary" - seems to be a very helpful thing, not only to register the things I have just prayed about, but to list the words that God has spoken to me - and he does - almost every day. It seems a poor comparison, but if I had a conversation with a very famous person, it is likely that I would remember almost exactly the words he or she said. How much more should I make an effort to remember the words the King of kings says!

From this humble start, and following the example of Thomas À Kempis, I have grown into a practice of conversational prayer that, supported by the scriptures, is the centrepiece of my devotional life. It's very personal, and a lot of it occurs in bed, in the dark, going to sleep, and is between my Lord and me alone. At other times, like in this book, there are things that need to be shared with friends, and with you the reader.

But let's go back to Thomas À Kempis, and read through some of his experiences.

In Book 2, Chapter 1, he writes: -

"The Kingdom of God is within you, says the Lord. Turn to the Lord with your whole heart, let him be the most important part of your life, and your soul will find rest. If you put God first, you will see his kingdom blossom within you, for the kingdom of God is living in peace and joy with the Holy Spirit, a thing not given to those who do not yearn for him with all their hearts. Christ will come to you and comfort you if you prepare a worthy place for him in your heart. All his glory and beauty lies within you, and he finds great delight in living there. He often visits the person who has a rich inner life, holding sweet conversation with him, granting delightful comfort, much peace and intimate friendship."

In Book 2, Chapter 8, he writes: -

"When Jesus is with us, all is right with the world and nothing seems difficult; when he is missing, everything is hard. When Jesus does not speak to the heart, comfort is worthless; but if he speaks only one word, we feel great joy."

Then later: -

"To know how to talk with Jesus is a great art, and to know how to cling to him is great wisdom."

In Book 3, there are many examples of conversation between Thomas À Kempis and Christ. Thomas feels able to put written words to the thoughts that our Lord has spoken to his soul. It is these examples that I have found most moving, and have encouraged me to reach out in faith and do the same.

Book 3, Chapter 1: Of Christ Speaking in you Heart

Disciple: I shall listen to what the Lord God will say deep within my heart. Blessed is the soul that listens to the Lord speaking within and that receives a word of comfort from him. Blessed are the ears that are attuned to the soft whisper of God's voice and ignore the buzzing of the world. Blessed indeed are the ears that pay no attention to outside clamor, but listen to truth teaching from within. Blessed are the eyes that are closed to outside things, but are intent on inner things. Blessed are they who plumb their own depths and by daily efforts prepare themselves to understand the secrets of heaven. Blessed are they who are completely free to attend to God and who have shaken off everything that stands in their way. Mark these things my soul; be silent, and visit the quiet recesses of your own heart. It is there that you will hear God's voice.

Jesus: I am your salvation, your peace and your life; live in me, and you will find peace. Let go of all passing things, and seek eternal ones. What are all passing things but enticements that lead you away from me? And what good are created things if they cause you to be abandoned by the Creator? So, let go of all such things, and make yourself pleasing and faithful to your creator, so that you may find true happiness.

Book 3 Chapter 3: That We Should Listen to God's Words with Deep Humility and Serious Intent.

Jesus: My dear friend, listen to my words, words of sweetness that surpass those of all the philosophers and wise people of this world. My words are spirit and life and are not measured by human understanding. They are not to be brought out to pass idle moments, but they are to be heard in silence and taken up with deep humility and profound love.

Disciple: Blessed is that person whom you instruct, O Lord, whom you teach in your own way. By your teaching, you give him rest from difficult days that he may know you are with him.

Jesus: I taught the prophets from the beginning, and even now I have not ceased to speak, but many people cannot hear my voice, for they have not chosen to listen.

...continues.

Book 3 Chapter 11: That Feelings May Not Always Be What They Seem.

Jesus: My dear friend, you still have many things to learn which you have not yet fully grasped.

Disciple: What are these things, Lord?

Jesus: You should make my will your own, stop being enamoured of yourself, and eagerly do what I ask of you. Enthusiasm often drives you to action, but take time to learn whether what you do is for me or for yourself.

Take care, then, not to rely too much on what you want without consulting me.

...continues.

Thomas has recorded many examples of quiet meditation and conversation with Jesus. We don't have time to reprint them all here and people are encouraged to read his writings for themselves.

We need to remember that Thomas lived a monastic life, and that his theology is pre-Reformation, but coming through every page is the deep love of our Lord that underlies his devotion, his worship, his conversation, and his lifestyle.

Thomas À Kempis challenged me, he "stood me up", but he showed me how it is possible to trust, and then in the deep recesses of your heart, hear the words of God - and write them down. The challenge to me is to share this style of prayer with you the reader. Take time, don't rush, let it come slowly, but be blessed.

Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved.

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