Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

It is by being awake to God in us that we can increasingly see God in the world around us.

To be obedient means to be constantly attentive to this active presence and to allow God, who is only love, to be the source as well as the goal of all we think, say, and do.

Life is just a short opportunity for you during a few years to say to God: ‘I love you, too.’”

Anger and hatred, which separate us from God and others, can also become the doorway to greater intimacy with God. Religious and secular taboos against expressing negative emotions evoke shame and guilt.

The main question, therefore, is not so much what we think, but to whom we present our thoughts.

To summarize, prayer is a crying out to God, a simple conversation, and a contemplative listening in the presence of God who loves us.

First, God is with us. Second, God is personal. Third, God is hidden. And fourth, God is looking for us. Then I want to challenge you to “be still and know” in your heart that God is God.