The Inner Life

Deep within each Christian is an inner sanctuary of the spirit, a holy place where Jesus resides. In this place, we can rest before Him, receive His love, & worship Him.

Most of us, however, live in the external. Each day seems the same: circumstances happen & we react to them. Much of our day is spent attempting to "put out fires" & to control what are really uncontrollable events. As a result, we experience inner chaos & turmoil.

Instead of looking "out there" for God to do something, we may need to recognize that He is building something on the inside of us. In whatever crisis we are going through, we, as believers, can go inside to that place in our spirits - the secret place of the Most High God, where the enemy cannot touch us. In that place we can learn to still ourselves & become totally focused on God.

Learning to live from the inner spirit is a spiritual discipline that must be developed from practice. Every day, every hour, I have a choice. Am I going to live from the external or from the inside? As I choose to retreat to that place in my spirit where God connects with me, I focus on Him & allow the chaos to recede. In the stillness, I have peace, & I hear the still, small voice of God.

Blessed are the meek......The American Donkey

In her book "Animals Sanctified: A Spiritual Journey", Dr. Stefanatos states, "Each animal has an innate wisdom to share with us, if we have the patience to cooperate & listen." As I look at the donkeys in the pasture tonight, I think about what these donkeys have taught me. I believe that the most important lesson has been about humility.


Donkeys were brought to the Americas by the Spaniards in 1495 as low paid workers. They gained popularity as pack animals due to their ability to carry supplies. Because of their social nature & willingness to adapt to humans, many donkeys would follow their owners along a trail without being led with ropes. As the U.S. developed & they were no longer needed, many donkeys were turned loose into the deserts & left to fend for themselves. Perhaps wondering why they were abandoned, they learned to survive & currently roam the southwestern desert.

Now considered as competition for forage with other species, donkeys are rounded up periodically, taken from their homes, separated from their friends & made available for adoptions. Or they are sometimes shot & killed.


Unless a donkey has been abused, its usual response to threat is to endure or retreat. Balaam's donkey in Numbers 22 is an example of this behavior. When she saw the Angel of the Lord in her path, the donkey simply refused to go forward. After being whipped for this behavior 3 times, God opened her mouth, & she asked Balaam why he was striking her. No anger, now lawsuits, no revenge. Just a simple question...why didn't her owner trust her?


As I watch the donkeys in the pasture, I wonder, do they know of the jokes about their supposed stupidity & stubbornness? Do they know they are considered one of the lowliest animals? If they do, their response seems to be to turn the other cheek. They don't ask for much: adequate food, water, and a kind word & petting when you have time. In return, donkeys give you a glimpse of eternity. If you will let him, a donkey will teach you patience, stillness, compassion, forgiveness, love & humility. A donkey won't brag that one of his ancestors carried Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, upon his back. Instead, a donkey will humbly carry the cross that has been imprinted on his back.


Are we willing to lay down our pride & learn from these lowly animals? Can we learn to walk in humility & to turn the other cheek? Will we allow the Holy Spirit to develop patience, stillness, compassion, forgiveness, & love in our lives? And, will we heed the words, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, & take up his cross & follow Me?