(From Irenaeus)
“If you are the work of God, wait patiently for the hand of your artist
who makes all things at an opportune time…
Give to Him a pure and supple heart and watch over the form which the artist shapes
you in…lest, in hardness, you lose the traces of his fingers.
By guarding this conformity, you will ascend to perfection…
To do this is proper to the kindness of God, to have done is becoming human nature.
If therefore, you hand over to Him what is yours, namely, faith in Him
and submission, you will see his Skill and be a perfect work of God.”
(Merton, Journals, August 25-26, 1965, V284-85)
Comments
8 responses to “Merton Mondays #6 – Are You the Work of God?”
Wow. Incredible timing on this, Anne. I need to wait patiently right now. Thanks for this.
Thanks, Anne. Saw this in action in my own life this past year. So tough to be patient, but so necessary.
I’m living this right now. Trying to wait well while God forms me to be the person I need to be for future events.
I wish God was on my time schedule!
I agree. Sometimes it’d be nice if He and I were all on the same boat, mine of course. But other times I’m so glad that we’re not. That He takes His time with me. I’m learning in these very long waiting periods He’s growing me to be who He needs me to be for something in the future.
Anne, I love the faith part: F-orgeting A-ll I T-rust H-im!!
Anne, I received my copy of ‘Permission To Speak Freely’ on Monday and wrapped it up Tuesday morning. This isn’t because I couldn’t put it down, it’s because I absolutely didn’t WANT to put it down. It moved so smoothly, with such a beautiful rhythm. Thanks for sharing your gift of writing, and thanks for going first with such bold and grace-filled honesty. I hope and pray millions will feel free to go second.
Anne, I received my copy of ‘Permission To Speak Freely’ on Monday and wrapped it up Tuesday morning. This isn’t because I couldn’t put it down, it’s because I absolutely didn’t WANT to put it down. It moved so smoothly, with such a beautiful rhythm. Thanks for sharing your gift of writing, and thanks for going first with such bold and grace-filled honesty. I hope and pray millions will feel free to go second.