Clinging to God in Solitude

October 7, 2008

henri-nouwen.jpg“When we enter into solitude to be with God alone, we quickly discover how dependent we are. Without the many distractions of our daily lives, we feel anxious and tense. When nobody speaks to us, calls on us, or needs our help, we start feeling like nobodies. Then we begin wondering whether we are useful, valuable, and significant.

Our tendency is to leave this fearful solitude quickly and get busy again to reassure ourselves that we are ’somebodies.’ But that is a temptation, because what makes us somebodies is not other people’s responses to us but God’s eternal love for us.”

- Henri Nouwen

Posted by brad brisco | Filed Under Continuous Formation, Solitude, Spiritual Formation 

Comments

1 Comment to “Clinging to God in Solitude”

  1. Jamie on October 22nd, 2008 2:39 pm

    This quote resonates with me. I love it! However, I am wondering how much of our pull to “get busy” is tied to a need to be a participant in the Missio Dei? I love it that this blog is holding together the tension of contemplation and action.

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