A Prayer by Thomas Merton for Ash Wednesday

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.  But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.  And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.  Amen.

Hope Will Lead the Way

Author Andrew Lester wrote, "Hope is always moving toward what it can barely see, but yet trusts."  I'll be the first to admit that trusting is not the easiest of endeavors.  For some trust has been broken, reinstated, then broken again.  Brokenness can often lead to mistrust because of spiritual and emotional wounds that are difficult to heal. 

I'm comforted by the understanding that hope moves me forward.  Hope will not allow me to wallow in my grief or tears or struggle.  Hope is like a gentle friend taking my hand and guiding me to take a step even if it is just one step. 

I can't see the days ahead of me nor can I predict what they might bring.  I can do this:  I can hope in the midst of my struggles, doubts, and fears with the assurance that hope give me eyes to see in the darkness.  The light ahead is not an oncoming train but the beginning of a better day. 

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them a light has shined."  These words in the Hebrew Bible are for me words of comfort, assurance, and yes, hope.  Christmas is coming, bringing with it the light of hope into the world.  Let's take a step forward. 

Hope will lead the way.