It is a mystery, that is true. In reading today, I came across the words of my favorite monk, Thomas Merton. He describes the contemplative life as having “nothing to tell you, except to reassure you.” And then it dawned on me, he is exactly right, the great mystery that we struggle with as contemplatives and Christians is that we are in this for nothing.
Now, before you leave let me explain: we get so caught up in the system of rewards and working for those rewards that it consumes us. Many Christians approach God to get something, salvation, relief, forgiveness, happiness, etc. And there is nothing wrong with any reason that draws us to the Sacred. But, that cannot be where we stay. As Merton says above, we get reassurance. Scripture says the same, “love God, don’t lean on you own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths”.
The reason for believing is to believe, to have a relationship with the Sacred. This is a high level of spiritual maturity, the second half of life, as Rohr would say. If you believe that you are in relationship with the Sacred just because you love the Sacred, then you no longer want or need anything else from God. And then you are out of the way, then the Sacred can have her way with you, the way of love. That is the “lean not on your own understanding” part. And the rest begins to happen, “and God will direct your paths”.
So I love God for nothing. But it has taken a long time to get to this place. So many sermons, some my own, about greater reward, about getting to heaven, about finding God’s will, and so much more and now I realize those were well meaning but mis-guided. The reason to love the Sacred, is to love the Sacred. To have a love affair with the Creator of all. And that is enough.
TMM