Active Waiting

Text excerpts taken from “Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life”

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

© 2015 by The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust.

Published by HarperOne.

 

“Whenever there is a lack of clarity of ambiguous circumstances, it is time to wait. Active waiting is essential to the spiritual life. In our mostly active lives and fast-paced culture, waiting is not a popular pastime. It is not something we anticipate or experience with great joy. In fact, most of us consider it a waste of time. Perhaps this is because the culture in which we live is basically saying, “Get going! Do something! Show you are able to make a difference! Don’t just sit there and wait.” But the paradox of waiting is that it requires full attention to the present moment, with the expectation of what is to come and the patience to learn from the act of waiting.”