Just as people can watch spellbound a circus artist tumbling through the air in a phosphorized costume, so they can listen to a preacher who uses the Word of God to draw attention to himself. But a sensational preacher stimulates the senses and leaves the spirit untouched. Instead of being the way to God, his 'being different' gets in the way.

Henri Nouwen

Henri Nouwen

Air Artist Attention Being Being Different Circus Costume Different Draw Gets God Himself His Instead Just Leaves Listen People Preacher Sensational Senses Spirit Stimulates Through Uses Watch Way Who Word

Related Quotes

To be a Christian who is willing to travel with Christ on his downward road requires being willing to detach oneself constantly from any need to be relevant, and to trust ever more deeply the Word of God.

— Henri Nouwen

The man who can articulate the movements of his inner life need no longer be a victim of himself, but is able slowly and consistently to remove the obstacles that prevent the spirit from entering.

— Henri Nouwen

AbleArticulateConsistently

I felt ashamed of being different and ashamed of feeling that way.

AshamedBeingBeing Different

In our production-oriented society, being busy, having an occupation, has become one of the main ways, if not the main way, of identifying ourselves. Without an occupation, not just our economic security but our very identity is endangered.

— Henri Nouwen

BecomeBeingBeing Busy

I like being different.

— Brantley Gilbert

BeingBeing DifferentDifferent