Finding True North #2: Beating the Metaphor to Death

In my post about field ed orientation, I explained where my blog series title "Finding True North" came from. I realize that it is cheesy, but on thinking about it, I'm going to be taking it to heart pretty hardcore this summer, especially as a theme of seeking vocational direction and discernment around school, relationships, and life after seminary. Maybe "Finding True North" is hokey—but I mean it.

And, just to beat the metaphor to death—I am someone who collects trinkets, keepsakes, any physical symbols of ideas and experiences meaningful to me. I wanted something I could hold or wear to keep me mindful of my discerning posture over the summer, so I went hunting on Etsy (a super fun website for handmade and niche gifts, FYI). The locket you see in this picture is being shipped to me today. Obviously it's a compass, which opens up (who doesn't love lockets?!). From the standpoint of the artist, the bird is purely ornamental, but I (unsurprisingly) identified it immediately as the Holy Spirit. I will wear this necklace over the summer as a reminder of and a prayer for my pursuit of direction, ever oriented toward God's call and guided by the Spirit.

Here's one of my favorite prayers, written by Thomas Merton. I actually adapted the lyrics and set it to music—it's still in progress, but maybe I'll record it soon. Here's my prayer for this summer (and, you know, life in general):

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Amen.