The One Thing Needful

Let all our employment be to know God. The more one knows Him, the more one desires to know Him. and as knowledge is commonly the measure of love, the deeper and more extensive our knowledge shall be, the greater will be our love. And if our love of God were great, we should love Him equally in pains and pleasures.

Let us not content ourselves with loving God for the mere sensible favors, how elevated sover, which He has done, or may do us. Such favors, though ever so great, cannot bring us so near Him as faith does in one simple act. Let us seek Him often by faith. He is within us: seek Him not elsewhere. If we do love Him alone, are we not rude, and do we not deserve blame, if we busy ourselves about trifles which do not please and perhaps offend Him? It is to be feared these trifles will one day cost us dear.

Let us begin to be devoted to Him in good earnest. Let us cast everything besides out of our hearts. He would possess them alone. Beg this favor of Him. If we do what we can on our parts, we shall soon see that change wrought in us which we aspire after. I hope from His mercy the favor to see Him within a few days.

-Brother Lawrence

An excerpt from a letter written February 6, 1691, six days before the author went to be with the Lord.