Dark night of the soul
by Marjorie Weaver, Hopedale, Ill.
Thank you for Dan Schrock’s article “When You Can’t Pray” (Feb. 5). Most helpful was his descriptions of meditation and contemplation. My initial thought was that meditation sometimes seems human-initiated while contemplation seems to bear the potential of being God-initiated.
There was a time when I could only repeat the name of Jesus, so weary of the struggle of my own “dark night.” My posture: lying on the couch with a blanket pulled over my face and head. I wanted to hide. But God came to me with outstretched hands. Had I not contemplated first, I would not be meditating on the amazing love and mercy, grace and friendship of God. I carry now, within my being, such gratefulness that allows me such fullness of joy.
God comes when invited, when allowed to do what God knows best—without people’s interference—and when action is called for, God leads the way. The challenge for me in the many moments of life is to be discerning, alert and watching, responding according to God’s initiative, not people’s. I only needed to be receptive first.
Associated Issue: When you can't pray - Feb. 5, 2008
Associated Article: When you can't pray
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