Of pure and entire resignation of self, for the obtaining liberty of
heart
“My Son, lose thyself and thou shalt find Me. Stand still without all
choosing and all thought of self, and thou shalt ever be a gainer. For
more grace shall be added to thee, as soon as thou resignest thyself,
and so long as thou dost not turn back to take thyself again.”
2. O Lord, how often shall I resign myself, and in what things shall I
lose myself?
3. “Always; every hour: in that which is little, and in that which is
great. I make no exception, but will that thou be found naked in all
things. Otherwise how canst thou be Mine and I thine, unless thou be
inwardly and outwardly free from every will of thine own? The sooner
thou dost this, the better shall it be with thee; and the more fully
and sincerely, the more thou shalt please Me, and the more abundantly
shalt thou be rewarded.
4. “Some resign themselves, but with certain reservations, for they do
not fully trust in God, therefore they think that they have some
provision to make for themselves. Some again at first offer everything;
but afterwards being pressed by temptation they return to their own
devices, and thus make no progress in virtue. They will not attain to
the true liberty of a pure heart, nor to the grace of My sweet
companionship, unless they first entirely resign themselves and daily
offer themselves up as a sacrifice; without this the union which
bringeth forth fruit standeth not nor will stand.
5. “Many a time I have said unto thee, and now say again, Give thyself
up, resign thyself, and thou shalt have great inward peace. Give all
for all; demand nothing, ask nothing in return; stand simply and with
no hesitation in Me, and thou shalt possess Me. Thou shalt have liberty
of heart, and the darkness shall not overwhelm thee. For this strive
thou, pray for it, long after it, that thou mayest be delivered from
all possession of thyself, and nakedly follow Jesus who was made naked
for thee; mayest die unto thyself and live eternally to Me. Then shall
all vain fancies disappear, all evil disturbings, and superfluous
cares. Then also shall immoderate fear depart from thee, and inordinate
love shall die.”