Isn't it something how it is apparently possible to go through life and miss life? How we can run hell-spent after money, status, career, possessions, power, control, success... and miss life? How we can parade ourselves through life with purpose, goals, ambition, accomplishment and yet not have a clue as to what life really is? All the while thinking we know what life really is?
As an imperfect follower of Jesus, I find myself often reflecting on the will of God in and for my life, believing that is what life really is. I am what some call a seeker, a person who seeks after God and the deeper things of God - often in silence and solitude - wanting more of him, "knowing him as I am known of him," never content with where I am in him. Desiring more. But where am I headed? Where is he leading me?
As I reflect on so much of what is called Christianity in my culture of America my heart hurts for those who seem to accept the spiritually superficial, all the while believing they have it all figured out. Those who seem to think that God and salvation are the latest Christian fad or fashion, brand, doctrine, political issue, mega-church, or Christian public relations campaign, and miss the genuine penetrating, never-ending, deep down drawing of the Spirit.
But then I am reminded of, humbled and encouraged by the prayer of Thomas Merton from his book, Thoughts in Solitude. He prays:
"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from this desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."
Wow! To God be the glory!
Peace for real,
Dennis
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