The Solid Place

Lenten reading for those in the wilderness 

Always come back to the solid place

You must believe in the yes that comes back when you ask, "Do you love me?" You must choose this yes even when you do not experience it.
   You feel overwhelmed by distractions, fantasies, the disturbing desire to throw yourself into the world of pleasure. But you already know you will not find them the answer to your deepest question. Nor does the answer lie in rehashing old events, or in guilt or shame. All of that makes you dissipate yourself and leave the rock on which your house is built.
   You have to trust the place that is solid, the place where you can say yes to God's love even when you do not feel it. Right now you feel nothing but emptiness and the lack of strength to choose. But keep saying, "God loves me, and God's love is enough." You have to choose the solid place over and over again and return to it after every failure. 
              Henri Nouwen     The Inner Voice of Love
 
Grace and peace,
Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation