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The will of God "is a living concrete reality in the lives of men [and women], and our souls are created to burn as flames within [God's] flame. The will of the Lord is not a static center drawing our souls blindly toward itself. It is a creative power, working everywhere, giving life and being and direction to all things, and above all forming and creating, in the midst of an old creation, a whole new world which is called the Kingdom of God" (53).
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What is the will of God in your life? Although it's a concrete reality, Merton is also quick to make note that it is mysterious. I don't know what God has in store for the next year of my life. I mean, I know basics, but beyond that? I got nothin. The title of my blog changed a few weeks ago and I think it's ironically appropriate for this entry because we need to learn to "own the mystery"... it is our job to CLAIM it, POSSESS it, ACCEPT it... the mystery is ours to behold and love. If we can't take it and run with it, we're missing out on a lot.
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Also, the fact that God's will is CREATIVE and WORKING and GIVING LIFE/BEING/DIRECTION... I suppose I always knew that, but never fully recognized it. God's will is what is making things happen in our lives. God's will is totally creative, right? I mean, if you look back on things that have fallen into place to make something bigger happen, those steps were pretty creative. It's never a straight shot! God's will is working everywhere in everyone's lives because things happen in our lives that don't really effect us, but they effect someone else and we may never know. And the life, being and direction that comes from God's will is the ultimate goal, right? We hope that God's will for our lives as a whole will be fruitful and helpful and headed in some finite direction.
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But more importantly than our own personal goals and aspirations for God's will (ha.ha.) is that of building the Kingdom of God. The way Merton phrases it, we must believe that our purpose as human beings is to create the Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of God here on earth. It's not some "other" world. WE are CREATING it. God's will for each of our lives is working together for the common good, for the good of the Kingdom.
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"What we call the 'will of God' is the movement of [God's] love and wisdom, ordering and governing all free and necessary agents, moving movers and causing causes, driving drivers..." (53). While Merton sounds really "predestinationy" here, he has a point. Without God, our lives would be lost, full of wandering, left with no purpose. But because we know "all things work together for those that love God" we know we have a purpose and all of our lives work together. That is why we need each other.
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Own the mystery.
Embrace God's will.
Further the Kingdom of God.
Peace be with you.
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