Trying to Find God

August 30, 2010 in Quotes with 3 Comments

All I have is a quote today.  Because, sometimes, you just can’t say it better.

For most of my life I have struggled to find God, to know God, to love God. I have tried hard to follow the guidelines of the spiritual life—pray always, work for others, read the Scriptures—and to avoid the many temptations to dissipate myself. I have failed many times but always tried again, even when I was close to despair.

Now I wonder whether I have sufficiently realized that during all this time God has been trying to find me, to know me, and to love me. The question is not “How am I to find God?” but “How am I to let myself be found by him?” The question is not “How am I to know God?” but “How am I to let myself be known by God?” And, finally, the question is not “How am I to love God?” but “How am I to let myself be loved by God?” God is looking into the distance for me, trying to find me, and longing to bring me home.

From The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming by Henri J. M. Nouwen (New York: Image Books, 1992).

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  • mandythompson

    oh this is a good one. And Nouwen is brilliant. It reminds me of Mother Theresa's true plight for faith… I'm sure you've heard about it – but it just stuns me to think that she rarely felt/sensed God's presence.

    But, to think that maybe He's pursuing me? That's an entirely new and utterly revolutionary way for me to think about this… Maybe if I stood still for long enough, we'd be able to connect.

  • http://www.crucialencounter.com Andy

    Yes. This quote blows my mind. it soothes me as well. All those days where I feel like I'm no good, to think that God may very well be seeking me… Man. Thank God.

    Mother Theresa is another genius. I would have loved to meet her. I mean… to just…. be around that much love has GOT to be life changing.

    Wish I could live like that. heh.