Thomas Merton in Thoughts of Solitude said "Our desire to please God, pleases God." In a broader context, if deep in our hearts we have the desire to bring Love, to bring Light, bring Peace into the world, if we have infused in our being only the desire to connect to that Source from which all that rises, that desire then by its very existence, does in fact connect us to the Divine Presence. Regardless of the effect, the result, regardless of whether we think we have failed, the connection with goodness is accomplished because of our desire. In and of itself the intention affects the higher purpose, so everything is for the good, its all okay because there is nothing else but that Source that delights in our desire to do good and be connected.
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 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 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 I will 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.Thomas Merton in Thoughts of Solitude
