Gene Edwards, 100 Days in the Secret Place: Classic Writings from Madame Guyon, Francois Fenelon, and Michael Molinos (affiliate link). Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image Publishers, Inc., 2015. 218 pages.
Gene Edwards edited this interesting devotional book. He draws on writings from three Catholic mystics, at least two of whom were considered Quietists. He includes 100 devotional readings drawn from their written works.
Michael Molinos was born in Spain and rose to great heights in the Catholic Church. But he ran afoul with the Jesuits and was ultimately imprisoned for heresy. He died while incarcerated in 1696 (17). Edwards explains that Fenelon was a Catholic archbishop in France who is recognized even today as one of the godliest, saintliest men to walk across the stage in Roman Catholic history (15). Jeanne Guyon, declares Edwards, is the most-read woman in history. Only Shakespeare, of her peers, is read more widely (19). She was arrested and imprisoned several times, as the Catholic authorities were uncertain what to do with her unorthodox, popular teaching. Edwards suggests that since Fenelon and Guyon’s time, no one has been able to take readers to the spiritual heights and depths that they did (16). I might argue this point, but Fenelon and Guyon have clearly exerted a huge impact throughout the ensuing centuries.
These three can be classified as Christian mystics who sought a deeper life with Christ. They did not try and foment a movement or gather large crowds. They practiced what they preached and sought the deep places of God. Their lives and writings have been an inspiration to many ever since.
The following quotes caught my attention:
“Do not resist what God brings into your life” (25).
“Let me warn you that if you push the cross away, your circumstances will become twice as hard to bear. In the long run, the pain of resisting the cross is harder to live with than the cross itself” (25).
“The voice of self-love is even more powerful than the voice of the serpent” (31).
“When God starts to deal with your old nature He heads straight for the center of all that you hold most dear” (31).
“Do not disturb yourself by trying to manufacture an artificial sense of God’s presence” (33).
“Do not waste your suffering” (39).
“Your Lord desires to purify your soul, and He can use a very rough file” (45).
“It is the fire of suffering which will bring forth the good of godliness” (64).
“Try to practice silence as much as general courtesy permits. Silence encourages God’s presence, prevents harsh words, and causes you to be less likely to say something you will regret” (89).
“Accept what God chooses for you. This is more important than what you choose for yourself” (90).
“Fear nothing but to fail God” (92).
“As long as the sense of the Lord’s presence continues, just remain there” (129).
“Praying with a believing heart is more important than anything else that has to do with prayer!” (130).
“Your God is like a magnet! The Lord naturally draws you more and more toward himself” (136).
“In all your experience of Christ, it is wisest for you to stay away from any set form, or pattern, or way. Instead, be wholly given up to the leading of the Holy Spirit” (142).
“Often what you offer God is not what He wants” (164).
“Nothing is so offensive to a haughty, conceited heart as the sight of another one” (166).
“Wait a long time, wait years, before giving advice. And then only give advice as God opens the hearts of those who are to receive it” (166).
“Let God take care of His business. Just be faithful to what God asks of you” (168).
“When God takes something away from you, you can be sure He knows how to replace it” (168).
“You must learn to bring your weak will in line with God’s all-powerful one” (173).
“God only wants one will between the two of you” (175).
“So seek out the eternal purpose of God and get in line with it” (177).
“Most Christians do not feel that they have been called to a deep, inward relationship to their Lord. But we have all been called to the depths of Christ just as surely as we have been called to salvation” (201).
“Plunge into the very depths of the words you read until revelation, like a sweet aroma, breaks out upon you” (206).
I listed a lot of quotes above, because there were many statements that struck me. I enjoyed Fenelon’s comments the most. He was also A.W. Tozer’s favorite. The focus of these writings is to develop an ongoing, deepening walk with Christ. These writings are good, especially for devotional reading. We must be regularly challenged to consider our current relationship with Christ and how we can go deeper still.
I encourage you to get this book. You may not be accustomed to reading these writers, but I think you will find it refreshing, stimulating, and provoking.
Rating: 3
