The Path of Waiting

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

The famed Dutch theologian and writer Henri Nouwel deals with the subject of waiting in its two waiting for God and waiting on God. The first two chapters of Luke's Gospel set the context for his insights.

Genres: Christian Living

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, theologian, psychologist, professor, and spiritual writer whose work profoundly shaped contemporary Christian spirituality. Born in Nijkerk, the Netherlands, in 1932, Nouwen pursued religious studies and was ordained a priest in 1957. His intellectual curiosity led him to study psychology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and later at the Menninger Clinic in Kansas, where he explored the connection between faith and mental health. Throughout his life, Nouwen remained committed to integrating pastoral care, psychology, and spiritual theology in a way that addressed the emotional and existential needs of believers.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.

Reviews

[Laney Dugan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hardly a book (only 46 tiny pages), and yet it was deeply moving. I was challenged, encouraged, convicted, and provoked to think differently about waiting — both in my life, and in the life of the Triune God. This is an instant favorite. I absolutely love it!! I will be mulling over his connections between waiting and Christian community, his observations on the passion of Christ, and his exhortations to wait openhandedly with hope. Absolutely beautiful little book!

[Kimi Copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this tiny book a few times. So practical and encouraging for seasons of discernment and waiting

[Bobby Johansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and brief book regarding the idea of waiting in spirituality. Nouwen places a lot of emphasis on the distinction between action and passivity, and how Christ did both these things. He had an active ministry, but he also received the passion in a passive way. Very insightful book that can literally be read in an hour.