What, No Blueprint?
I’m currently reading a book about spiritual practice among Friends and I came across this passage that has been really bothering me for several months now. The passage in question appears in a section that discusses focusing on a particular dynamic in ones relationship with God as a co-creator of ones future, as opposed to attempting to discern Gods will for ones life. Thomas Merton states that basically people act like God has plan or map for their life in a drawer somewhere and that we think all we have to do is find the right drawer containing the right map and we’ll be all set and on our way. He says it’s not like that. There is no predestined plan for us because we are co-creating the plan with God. He says it is more like a great improvisation that is constantly unfolding.
What? You mean there is no blueprint for Juliet’s life? Really? I don’t want to think that is true. What if it was? What if I’m really entirely responsible for all my choices and unlike Robert Frost, who chose the right road not taken, I chose the wrong one and end up in a mess? I mean I’m human. I’m human, self-centered, selfish, can’t get out my own way. Man, don’t put me in charge! Yikes! And besides, I was never that great at improvisation. The improv classes I took at the University of Miami were really gnarly and made me sweat buckets, even in rooms that were cold enough to hang meat.
Besides, Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before you were formed in the womb I knew you. I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord Almighty.” So was Merton denying all of that? He was a monk; he can’t just say it’s not scripture, can he? Maybe he means that since there is that of God in me that it is like I am co-creating my plan but it freaks me out because what if I make the wrong choices create the wrong thing? That bothers me.
Psalm 139 says, “When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:13-16).”
I can see how we are co-creators in the sense that we have been given free will and can choose to follow God or not. We can choose to get to know, love and make God first in our life or not. So in that sense, I suppose we could be creating the blueprint of our lives.
I choose to believe that God does have a plan for my life. If I remain in a constant state of prayer, listen for His guidance, and practice unreserved obedience to Him, I think I will be able to follow His blueprint for my life.
Okay, so maybe I won’t find a drawer with a map in it. But I’ve never been good at reading maps anyway, and even with my new GPS that my sister and brother-in-law so lovingly gave to me for Christmas one year, I am an expert in getting lost. So hopefully the map is really a spiritual blueprint than can be discerned through prayer, meditation and the study of Scripture.
I find great comfort, promise, faith and hope in the Scriptures. They have gotten me through many tough times. I believe they are the inspired word of God. I do believe God has a plan for me that was created before I even came down to this planet. That is what works for Juliet. So whether it is a blue print, a map, diagram or drawing, I will use the tools I have to seek it and follow God’s path. Nothing I ever do in this life could be more important.
I like Thomas Merton a great deal and think he is likely right when he talks about co-collaborating with God. I can understand how that might make one feel rudderless at first glance. But I think Merton’s take means anything but. With God as a collaborator which means applying his word in daily life, in our daily choices, it is not likely we’ll wind up on the wrong side of the street, as it were. We’re allowed to respect our input into our own life, particularly with God as a collaborator.
Thank you Peter, I appreciate that. I guess I get worried I will get so caught up in my own ego driven, selfish me first desires that I will make choices that serve that more than God. This is stupid of course because in the end they will not serve me. I need to let go more and turn it over. Maybe trust the God in me more. Maybe get more sleep!! Thank you for your comments. I really like that “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” Thank you for sharing that.
Another great piece of writing Juliet.
Don’t fear mistakes-there are none.
-Miles Davis
I am trying to be more consistent in my own practice. Miss you.
Thank you John, I appreciate your kind words. I like that there are no mistakes. It figures that Miles would say that. Hope your practice is going well. In the Light, Juliet
I meant to comment on this when I first read it back in Feb. I think that concept of co-creating is vivid and helpful. It reminds me of something Steve Chandler wrote in a book called “Reinventing Yourself.” He talks about moving forward with what you *do* know [however little or much]….”Perhaps you’re thinking now that you’ve grown up, you no longer know what you want to do with your life. *Doing it* will tell you what it should be. You can only see it on the wing.” I find this approach helpful; this emphasis on moving, going into action with what little you may know, moving the boat out from the harbor even though you have just a rough, basic itinerary…
He adds, “But you don’t even have to believe it to get it started. It’s a gentle and easy thing to start. Here’s how to start: Rather than ask yourself what you feel like doing, ask yourself “What needs to be done?” Believe it or not, your joyful reinvention will begin by doing what’s necessary, being in action…..Happiness comes to those who are busy doing. Happiness follows in the slipstream of the actions you take It’s not something you have to feel first. All you have to do is wake up and ask yourself what kind of future you would like to create, and then ask the most important question you’ll ever ask yourself: “What needs to be done?”…You will know what needs to be done. …Your invented future is waiting for you. All it asks is for you to get busy.”
Hi Sherrie,
Thank you for your reply. That is really, really helpful, especially in these times when I’m on vacation and it would be easy to get off track. But this is good. What kind of life do I want to create and “what’s in front of me to do?” Very cool. Thanks for sharing this.
In the Light,
Juliet