This is a period of people's lives described in detail by St. Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross in which a person feels distant from God and doesn't experience the spiritual in their lives. St. Theresa of Calcutta spent most of her life doing work without a spiritual connection. It isn't that they believe that God doesn't exist or doubt the existence of the spiritual world. It is that they cannot connect to it, no matter what they do, no matter how much they do the "right" thing.
I have always had a sense of God leading. And I felt the same thing a number of weeks ago when my Voice told me to quit. Since then, nothing.
I have always had a sense of God leading. And I felt the same thing a number of weeks ago when my Voice told me to quit. Since then, nothing.
Stupid prophetic spiritual director.
I believe in the efficacy of prayer, but not my own prayer. I have no confidence that my prayers will be heard.
There is one thing that the Holy Spirit-- God's power to answer prayer-- gives, which is love. God will grant love to all who ask. It may take time, but it will happen. Those who are filled with the Spirit are filled with compassion and mercy. Those who are in tune with God has their heart flooded with the love of God for those around them who do not deserve it.
I prayed for love. For years. I got nothing.
It isn't that I think God answering prayers. God granted finances when (or just after) we needed it. God provided help not only for us but for those whom we helped. God's resources were never-ending. But the most important prayer, the pursuit of love, the opportunity to feel compassion, not just to give lip service to it. In this area God failed me.
Yes, failed. I really believe that God has a responsibility to give love to those who seek it. There are many "Christians" who just offer excuses and don't pursue love at all. They are more interested in karma than mercy. I don't think they are really pursuing God. Because God is love, and those who love God are those who benefit those who don't deserve it because that's what God does.
And my love is like the filthy water at the bottom of a bath drain. There's nothing left, and what is there is diluted. God is supposed to open up the flood of water again. But there's nothing. And I'm filthy.
I asked my spiritual director, who went through a period of the dark night of the soul, how one gets out. Do we pray? Do we meditate? Do we seek God?
She said, "You can do that if you want. But it doesn't work. Do what gives you spiritual comfort. But in the end, you will feel a desire to get back into spiritual disciplines. And that's when you will be ready to connect with God again."
I hate to have people ask me to pray for them right now. I've got nothing to give. Someone asked me, "How does a person find God?" I answered, "I wish I knew."
I'm living in a Bergman film. Black and white, and God is distant. And Death seems like a pretty nice guy.
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