Meditation Monday, February 15, 2021

I used to think that as I got older, I would know instictively what God would want from me and for me. I learned the hard way that the spiritual journey is often a crooked journey. I am not always confident of my next steps. I am still learning not to pray for certainty but instead lean into prayer and discernment with open hands. The following prayer by Thomas Merton is gift during times I struggle with uncertainty. I hope it will be a gift to the reader as well.

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 that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that 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 will I 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.

“The Merton Prayer” from Thoughts in Solitude