A Journey Without Maps

"Faith is better understood as a verb than as a noun, as a process than as a possession. It is on-again-off-again rather than once-and-for-all. Faith is not being sure where you're going but going anyway. A journey without maps." - Frederick Buechner

Journey. I really love that word. It awakens something in me that I cannot explain. It seems so...infinite and inviting.

Infinite because it seems to capture the endless possibilities and lessons to be learned in this life. Also because as Christians we know that we are not Home yet, but we're ever on our way. Sometimes that way is treacherous. Sometimes it is wondrous. Most of the time it falls somewhere in between.

Inviting because it seems so...communal. The idea of journey seems to imply that there are others on the road with us. Oh sure, sometimes it seems as if we are all alone on our journey. Like we are being asked to walk this endless road by ourselves. We feel lonely, abandoned, and utterly isolated. But this is all an illusion. There is at least that Eternal Someone there beside us and often countless others surrounding us seeking to walk the same path. On our best days there's a tangible person or two with whom we can share the ups and downs of the journey who has chosen to take the journey, too.

This is what a life of faith is: a journey without maps. There have been times in my life when that thought might have caused me to shudder. These days I am in the more enthusiastic camp. I like the idea that there is no real blueprint for the journey...only endless possibilities and a God who has promised to go before me and with me all the way (Deuteronomy 31:8). And because I am a part of the greater communion of saints - past and present - I have a community of people who love and support me along the way.

This journey without maps is the way of the person of faith. And what an amazing journey it can be if we simply surrender to it! My prayer for you is that you'll embrace it. Walk the path with holy confidence. Whether you find yourself simply closing another semester or actually graduating, just give yourself to the journey. You'll find a lot of unexpected things along the way. There are some things you can count on through it all: the hand of God to hold you, His love to sustain you, and companions for the journey.

Being is Desiring...

"Desire is often talked about as something we ought to overcome. Still, being is desiring: our bodies, our minds, our hearts, and our souls are full of desires. Some are unruly, turbulent, and very distracting; some make us think deep thoughts and see great visions; some teach us how to love; and some keep us searching for God. Our desire for God is the desire that should guide all other desires. Otherwise our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls become one another's enemies and our inner lives become chaotic, leading us to despair and self-destruction.

Spiritual disciplines are not ways to eradicate all our desires, but ways to order them so that they can serve one another and together serve God."

- Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey

I have gone through extended phases in my life where I believed (or was led to believe) that all my desires were wrong. This led to a false sense of fear and and overwhelming feeling of worry. This idea that all desires were wrong desires led to me to believe that if I was content or happy doing something, it was not of God. I got this warped idea that if it wasn't difficult, it wasn't the right path. These things are simply not true and not of God.

Our desires can be a really good thing. A desire to please God that permeates our existence will redeem and reorder other desires that are, as Nouwen put it, a little "unruly" and slightly irrational. The desire and the need for love and community and support is not a bad thing. A desire to make a lasting impression in the world is not a bad desire. Even the desire for another person is not a bad thing. When all of our desires come under our ultimate desire to love God and love people, they are generally good and most certainly of God. God does desire to give us "the desires of our heart" as long as those desires are in keeping with His one desire for us (Psalm 37:4). And what is that but that we know Him and make Him known to others? Far better than we do, He knows our heart's desires and what we need. Let us trust Him to guide us and, in turn, trust ourselves to walk.

Unshakable Confidence

The title for the blog comes from a phrase I picked up from our reading of The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. Those two words have been following me around for the last several days. I cannot escape that phrase - unshakable confidence - and everything it implies. To have a confidence that cannot be shaken requires a great deal of trust and belief. Unshakable implies that this confidence is unwavering, unchanging, unswerving, unflinching, immovable, and steadfast. All of these words seem impossible until we consider that our confidence comes from one whose love for us was/is all of those things.

Manning also shared this quote from Marjorie Kemp, "More pleasing to me than all your prayers, sacrifices, and good works is that you would believe that I love you." And I would add to that simply this: Believing with unshakable confidence that God truly loves us will always call forth love in our lives. We have not fully received God's love if it does not grow in us a desire to share that love with others. Love calls forth love...always.

Words...

In case you haven't noticed, most of the blogs posted here are inspired by other people's words. I have a deep appreciation for prayers and quotes from saints - past and present. I also like the occasional movie or television quote that makes me think or laugh. I am relatively sure I can call up a quote for just about any occasion. In fact, as I talk to people I often find myself thinking of quotes, verses, or songs that describe them (or what they are talking about at the moment).

All of this got me thinking that it might be fun for us to word-share. This is your opportunity to share a quote, prayer, poem, or passage that inspires you or brings you joy. Share anything (tasteful, of course) - sacred or secular.

Wisdom from Thomas à Kempis

"Love is a mighty power, a great and complete good. Love alone lightens every burden, and makes the rough places smooth. Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller or better in heaven or earth; for love is born of God, and can rest only in God, above all created things.

Love flies, runs, and leaps for joy; it is free and unrestrained. Love gives all for all, resting in One who is highest above all things, from whom every good flows and proceeds. Loved does not regard the gifts, but turns to the Giver of all good gifts."

- The Imitation of Christ, Thomas à Kempis (1380 - 1471)