by Joe Carroll
Only inches separate the distance between your head and your heart. Yet the spiritual distance any truth in our head must travel to become an authentic experience of our heart can be a very long road. This is truly the road less traveled.
In his head, Terry knows he needs to talk to his boss about the promises his boss made. Yet it has been three months and Terry’s too afraid of what might happen if he brings it up to his boss. His boss is intimidating. Terry knows “in his head” that he shouldn’t be afraid of his boss, but “in his heart” he does not really believe this, so he does nothing.
In Proverbs, God directs us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” He doesn’t say to trust in him with “all of your mind.” Faith is a heart issue. The road that takes God’s truth into our hearts is a pathway of trust. It feels risky because we release our grip on controlling the results. The mind was made for understanding – the heart was made for relationship…a relationship that involves trust.
The brilliant ethicist, John Kavanaugh was struggling greatly as he earnestly desired “clarity” for God’s will regarding his future. In his quest for clarity, he undertook a bold three-month journey to work with Mother Teresa at her “House of the Dying” in India. In one encounter with Mother Teresa, she asked, “And what can I do for you?” Mr. Kavanaugh asked her to pray for him.
“What do you want me to pray for?” She asked. He voiced the request that had prompted him to travel thousands of miles from his homeland. He asked her, “Pray that I have clarity.”
Her response stunned him. She said firmly, “No, I will not do that.” A confused Kavanaugh asked her why. She said, “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.” When Kavanaugh replied that she always had the clarity he longed for. She laughed and said, “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So, I will pray that you trust God.”[1]
Making mental “clarity” the priority prevents “heartfelt trust”
Most of the counsel others seek from me in their work revolves around “clarity” regarding something in their work. Many of the prayer requests I hear are about wanting clarity on knowing God’s will on what to do. Praying for wisdom is good (James 1:5). Yet, more importantly than wisdom is trust. Having clarity is not bad. But it is not the priority. “Trust” is the priority.
What about you? Is there a truth you are struggling with in your head that needs to make the journey into your heart? Is it time to take a road trip today on some issue you are facing?
[1] Brennan Manning. Ruthless Trust (New York. Harper Collins, 2000) pg.5-6