It is True. It is Really True.

Twenty-five years ago, at a Trappist Monastery near Montreal, my husband stumbled upon a book that changed our lives and filled us with hope and joy.

Guidelines to Mystical Prayer, by a British Carmelite nun, Ruth Burrows, relates the experiences of two nuns who live in her monastery. They know that their old nature has died with Christ and that now Jesus lives within their hearts, minds,and souls.

These two women are the polar opposite of each other. Ruth renames one nun Petra (earth) because she does not receive any mystical visions or feelings. She is an example of most Christians whose spirituality is called “light off”. Never the less, Petra knows that her old self has died. Claire (light) is really a “light on mystic” who experiences inner locution, visions and feels God’s presence.

What a relief to discover a contemplative nun who is like my husband and I, who are very much “light on”. I can hardly express the exuberant joy we experienced as we connected and identified with Claire. We read and reread this book because God used it to explain our calling to us.

St. Paul’s words were true. It was possible to experience full transformation on earth!

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ

and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, lives in me;

who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

I pray for the grace to become the Presence of Christ on Earth. This concept is not a symbol. It is not just for biblical times or for a few select saints. This transformation is simply the normal Christian’s call, the normal Christian’s life. Watchman Nee, a Chinese missionary in China (1903-1972), wrote a book called The Normal Christian Life.

Though a new Christian may not yet fully experience the meaning of the death of the Lord Jesus, God nevertheless has made him alive together with Christ and he has obtained a new life in the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus. This is new birth.

Copyright 2014 Melanie Jean Juneau