Thursday, December 9, 2010

I do not even know God


From Thomas Merton: 

"Your brightness is my darkness. I know nothing of you and, by myself, I cannot even imagine how to go about knowing you. If I imagine you, I am mistaken. If I understand you, I am deluded. if I am conscious and certain I know you, i am crazy. The darkness is enough." (from Run to the Mountain, quoted in Bridges to Contemplative Living: Advent & Christmas)

This type of apophatic theology is so helpful to me. It keeps me humble. It keeps me waiting, open, receiving. 

Instead of telling God who he is and should be in my life, it keeps me waiting to catch a glimpse of where God might be in my life. And more often than not, I am surprised at where he shows up. 

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