Merton Moment. By: C.C.

"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 that 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." (Thomas Merton)
      Thomas Merton is one spiritual writer that I have yet to familiarize myself with. This short prayer written by him has captivated me from the very first moment I stumbled upon it. Emerging from this was an overflow of reflective thought, peace, and also a very simple lesson. By acknowledging that he has "no idea where he is going" and that "he can not see the road ahead of him", Merton shares a universal truth of the human journey.
       The human journey is naturally one of immense uncertainty. It is definitely a walk along a "dark" road where many of us, like Merton, can share in the fact that we do not see the road ahead. Travelled alone and without faith our human journey is one that is plagued with questions that can only be answered by having a spiritual understanding of what it truly means to be human. It is only with faith and continuous surrender to our Lord, and a constant "desire to please Him" that we will surely be led toward a sense of clarity amidst the chaos and unknown.
       It is then, through this perpetual desire to please God that one truly begins to align themselves with the will of God above all things. Lord, May we each strive to have an honest desire to please You.  It is by acknowledging the uncertainties of our human journeys that we come to focus on the truth found only in You. Let us live without seeking worldly comfort or stability, but lead us to live with fervent faith and hope for all things. Amen (C.C.)