Questions, questions… the good disciple is always full of questions. Josef Pieper held that the only true happiness comes from the gradual quenching of the intellect by God's infinitely unwinding mystery. God is somewhat like a riveting, never-ending mystery novel in which the plot keeps thickening and thickening, but the suspense never comes to an end. Who would want to read a mystery wherein the crime is solved in the first two pages? Many find that their curiosity about God increases exponentially the more they pray and the more clues they uncover. One of the most important questions people bring to God through prayer is: “How am I to live my life?” Kierkegaard also sought the answer to this question in his search for “the idea for which I may live or die.” The sooner one plunges into the investigation, the sooner the direction of life becomes clear. On a grand scale, God hints at a standard of action that legislates for all out of love and God's desire for human happiness. On a more intimate scale, God has created each person with a unique purpose, the capacity to be of use in instigating the collective happiness and experience immense fulfillment. However, one can only uncover this purpose by opening a channel to God and asking questions that will lead to the joy of discovery and guidance that one seeks. Therefore, on with the questions… the game is afoot!
[...] God knows the pleasure of giving and working for others will likely have a better aftertaste than any sandwich, and so God continues to provide options to be of use. The uniqueness of each individual suggests the likelihood of many different God's instructions for each person would be different, and specially tailored. It is therefore worthwhile to investigate and ask questions of God, because one can then find one's own personal function, idea for which one can live and die.” My favorite literary example of this importance comes from a book by John Irving, called A Prayer for Owen Meany. [...]
[...] For me, the most striking church-related exhibition of God lies in the love and reverence of the people who assemble there to worship. Just as I try to envision God in different forms in my prayer, I try to recognize him in other people and forms of creation. It is easiest to do so when smiling parishioners surround me, combed over and buttoned up in reverent poise. Everyone walks out of the chapel full of goodwill and charity. The real challenge lies in perceiving God in less obvious places, such as in unruly children, strict librarians, fascist dictators, and dominating employers, to name a few. [...]
[...] Once one has grasped this belief and tacked it smack in the middle of his board of evidence, he will naturally wonder What is the nature of my god? The most certain statement the spiritual novice can make about God is that God is enigmatic. The reader knows this, because the mystery has led him or her to inquire in the first place. To an extent, this lack of understanding is part of what makes God so fascinating to us. [...]
[...] Every person has a god of some form or another, something that they worship as the most crucial and central aspect of their lives. A god needn't be a widely accepted religious figurehead. It may be an intellectual pursuit, a standard of living, another human being, a desired status or ability, or a material possession. What is the first thing that enters our minds when we open our eyes in the morning? One who fancies himself a worshipper of a churchly god may unintentionally be worshipping, for example, the Chicago Bulls. [...]
[...] God calls man to a life “with God.” This explains the importance of developing and maintaining that spirituality, that mystical relationship. God would love to guide and aid each person, if we would only communicate and accept assistance. Therein also lies the importance of prayer. God knows that the created world is imperfect, and that suffering is an intrinsic part of life. Some hardships will bring about despair if mane attempts to endure them alone. In accordance with God's great and unconditional love, God finds happiness in reaching out a hand to mankind, but in accordance with the gift of free will, does so only at our request. [...]
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