God's Initiative

Part of becoming humble is learning that it is always God's initiative to speak with us. Nouwen writes about it:

"We can close our eyes as tightly as we can and clasp our hands as firmly as possible, but God speaks only when he wants to speak. When we realize this our pressing, pushing, and pulling become quite amusing. Sometimes we act like children who close their eyes and think that they can make the world go away.
After having done everything to make some space for God, it is still God who comes on his own initiative. But we have a promise upon which we base our hope: the promise of his love. So our life can rightly be a waiting in expectation, but waiting patiently and with a smile. Then, indeed, we shall be really surprised and full of joy and gratitude when he comes."