Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

When we claim and constantly reclaim the truth of being the chosen ones, we soon discover within ourselves a deep desire to reveal to others their own chosenness. Instead of making us feel that we are better, more precious or valuable than others, our awareness of being chosen opens our eyes to the chosenness of others.

We are chosen, blessed, and broken to be given, not only in life, but in death as well. As the Beloved Children of God, we are called to become bread for each other—bread for the world.

We may be little, insignificant servants in the eyes of a world motivated by efficiency, control, and success. But when we realize that God has chosen us from all eternity, sent us into the world as the blessed ones, handed us over to suffering, can’t we, then, also trust that our little lives will multiply themselves and be able to fulfill the needs of countless people?

You and I would dance for joy were we to know truly that we, little people, are chosen, blessed, and broken to become the bread that will multiply

itself in the giving. You and I would no longer fear death, but live toward it as the culmination of our desire to make all of ourselves a gift for others. The fact that we are so far from that state of mind and heart shows only that we are mere beginners in the spiritual life and have not yet fully claimed the full truth of our call. But let us be thankful for every little glimpse of the truth that we can recognize and trust that there is always more to see—always.

Where does all this lead us? I think that it leads us back to the “place” we come from, the “place” of

God. We are sent into this world for a short time to say—through the joys and pains of our clock-time—the great “Yes” to the love that has been given to us and in so doing return to the One who sent us with that “Yes” engraved on our hearts.