“God doesn’t ask that we succeed in everything, but that we are faithful. However beautiful our work may be, let us not become attached to it. Always remain prepared to give it up, without losing your peace.” ~Saint Teresa of Calcutta1
Welcome to the latest newsletter from The Distant Spire.
In my last newsletter I posted the track Beside Still Waters that was inspired by Psalm 23:22. I emphasised our need for quietness and rest, and how being by a stream can be an ideal image of this place, as King David wrote in the well known verse.
This week’s musical offering is called Letting Go. It draws on Psalm 46:10 and is a continuation in this encouragement in devotion, and deals with the concept of detachment:
“Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth!”3
The Israel Institute of Biblical Studies has this to say regarding the term “be still”:
In the original Hebrew of this psalm, the word is harpu, from the verb RFH רפה meaning “to let go, to release”. A more literal translation of harpu would be "cause yourselves to let go". The implication here is significant. Rather than merely being passive, we are instructed to actively let go in order to know that God is in control and to objectively know the saving power of God in our lives.4
Letting Go is an extended (9 min) instrumental piece aimed at encouraging the listener to literally be still, reflect and let God take control. A popular saying when I was a young believer was ‘let go and let God’, and still is a helpful reminder for me. I invite you to make yourself comfortable in a quiet place and reflect as you listen to this calm and reflective music.
I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord.
🎵 Follow The Distant Spire on Spotify or your preferred streaming platform to listen to every published piece of music. These songs are all instrumental, intended to encourage us to slow down, reflect and meditate on the goodness of God.
Some Additional Notes
I recently returned from a retreat at New Norcia Benedictine Monastery. I call New Norcia ‘my shire’, (Lord of the Rings fans will know what I mean), a place of lush green surroundings in the countryside, where there is a sense of peace and tranquility. It is not too far from my home and provides a retreat away from the bustling city, and where I always leave feeling more spiritually invigorated.
The retreat itself focused on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. It was timely and enjoyable to revisit a saint who was instrumental in not only my formation as a Catholic, but really initiated the journey of migration into the Catholic Church from nearly forty years as a protestant.
About ten years ago, I read The Little Flowers of Saint Francis5 and The Life of Saint Francis6 by Saint Bonaventure, and my eyes were opened to a more authentic and deeper spirituality than I was seeing or experiencing at the time. Thus began an intentional and exciting quest of reading, seeking and praying which culminated in my confirmation into full communion with the Catholic Church at this year’s Easter Vigil. Saint Francis will always be special to me for this reason.
“Let peace be your quest and aim”. Saint Benedict
You can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.
I highly value your comments and encouragement it means a lot so please do so if what you enjoy what you hear, if it resonates with you or helps you in any way.
You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.
God bless you and keep you,
D.A Sigley
The Distant Spire
Footnotes and Resources
Music written, recorded and produced by Dale Sigley ©2025
Teresa, M., Chaliha, J., & Joly, E. L. (1996). The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living with Mother Teresa.
“he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters;” Psalm 23:2, New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (1966).
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (1966)
IsraelBiblicalStudies.com. (n.d.). https://lp.israelbiblicalstudies.com/lp_iibs_biblical_hebrew_let_go-en.html?cid=68184&commChannel=1
Di Monte Santa Maria, U., & Francis, S. (1998). The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi. Vintage.
Bonaventure. (2005). The life of St. Francis. Harper Collins.
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