Thomas Merton: Pure Possessionand Enjoyment of God

It is not enough to possess and enjoy material and spiritual things within the limits of rational moderation: we must be able to rise above all joy and pass beyond all possession if we will come to the pure possession and enjoyment of God.

This distinction is very important and yet it is often forgotten even by spiritual writers. It is quite true, of course, that God's creatures are all good and that our moderate, temperate use of them brings us to closer union with Him. It is also true that those who are most closely united to Him and detached from their exterior self are able to taste the purest joy in the beauty of created things, which is no longer an obstacle to the light of God.”

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) in New Seeds of Contemplation (New York: New Directions, 1979) 208-209.

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I hope you are discerning that the contemplative life is not one of abstaining from things as if they are bad. It’s about choosing what is best over things that are good. We do this to “come to the pure possession and enjoyment of God.”

We must also remember that it is in God’s generous nature to bless us with things that we enjoy. Remember He led His people into a land flowing with milk and honey!

And when He does bless us, we do well, as the David writes, to remain “mindful” of God’s unfailing love and to “live in reliance on” His faithfulness. Prospering people tend to forget God and trust in themselves.

This week, we do well to contemplate the sticky things that we tend to get attached to and to surrender them to God, even as we surrender ourselves to God. 

For me and the team in Ghana the ministry has required huge effort, keen collaboration, and many sacrifices. Yet, we celebrate unspeakable fruits. Stay tuned for a trip report.

Today I pivot to attend the Lausanne Global Workplace Forum with many others. I speak on 8 August 2026. For now, pray for the forum to be an enriching experience for all.