Thoughts for the Journey
Back in May, I had the wonderful opportunity to go to the Henri Nouwen
Conference in Toronto Canada to complete the program, 30 Under 30 that I was a part of for a little over a year. Henri Nouwen was a Dutch Priest, aca-
demic, and prominent spiritual guide in the 20th century. This program and
conference was to honor the 30th year of his passing by helping 30 young
people create projects that are rooted in spirituality.
Over the past year, we had meetings together where we did devotionals,
discussed our projects with one another to help encourage and offer support
when we could. So, Canada was the first time we were all together in person
and it was a deeply moving moment. We had many chances to go and do
things together before the conference kicked off. We would go as a group to
explore the city of Toronto while also talking about what we wanted to get
out of the conference.
During the four days of the gathering, our mentors met us in person and we
had the privilege of meeting people who knew Nouwen personally and are
deep spiritual leaders in their communities. There were many presentations that explored Nouwen’s impact on spirituality that still is happening long after his passing. I also got to present my project along with the other cohort
members to the people who were at the conference. It was amazing and very
helpful for the further growth of my nonprofit that I hope to continue as an
aspect to ministry I do in the future.
One of my favorite takeaways from this gathering was the encouragement
and comfort that even when we are lonely; God joins us in our loneliness.
Nouwen for most of his life struggled with feeling lonely, and often wrote about this struggle and where to find God if it is possible to do. The conclusion that Nouwen came to, that the conference emphasized, was that God made each of us in belovedness and, because that is how we were made, it can never be taken from us and this state of beloved, is why even in the darkest and loneliest places we are never alone, for God will always be with the beloved.
I want to close this entry with a prayer from Nouwen,
“Dear God, Speak gently in my silence. When the loud noises of my surroundings and the loud inner noises of my fears keep pulling me away from you, help me to trust that you are still there even when I am unable to hear you. Give me ears to listen to your small, soft voice
saying: ‘Come to me, you who are overburdened, and I will give you rest...for I am gentle and humble of heart.’ Let that loving voice be my guide.” Amen
Listening intently in prayer,
Aurora Buchanan
Calvary United Methodist Church ©