--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In our creation, God asked a question and…" description: "\"In our creation, God asked a question and in our truly living; God answers the question.\" — Thomas Merton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e45/thomas-merton-231_answers_in-our-creation-god-asked-a-question-and_863316.jpg" --- # In our creation, God asked a question and in our truly… ![“In our creation, God asked a question and in our truly living; God answers the question.” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e45/thomas-merton-231_answers_in-our-creation-god-asked-a-question-and_863316.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e45/thomas-merton-231_answers_in-our-creation-god-asked-a-question-and_863316.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e45/thomas-merton-231_answers_in-our-creation-god-asked-a-question-and_863316.jpg) > “In our creation, God asked a question and in our truly living; God answers the question.” [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. God poses a question, and through living fully, humanity discovers the answer. **In simple terms:** Living fully answers God's question. Key Takeaway Engage deeply with life to find purpose. Themes spiritual quest purpose divine inquiry Mood contemplative hopeful Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - daily life - spiritual practice - community service Key Concepts theology existential meaning Questions to Reflect On - What question does God ask? - How does living fully reveal answers? A Different Perspective Interpretations of “the question” differ among traditions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creation/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Truth Seeking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-seeking/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [“It is as if in creating us God asked a question, and in awakening us to contemplation He answered the question, so that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/it-is-as-if-in-creating-us-god-asked-a-question-and-in-awakening-us/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. 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This doubt is by no means opposed to genuine faith,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/for-every-gain-in-deep-certitude-there-is-a-corresponding-growth-of/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [One night I prayed to God, I asked could he please remove my enemies from my life, and before you knew it I started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meek-mill/one-night-i-prayed-to-god-i-asked-could-he-please-remove-my-enemies/) [Meek Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meek-mill/) > [No matter how discouraged we get, God has not asked us to do the impossible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-matter-how-discouraged-we-get-god-has-not-asked-us-to-do-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Daddy worked for God, but asked for no pay. For he believed that God provides a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/daddy-worked-for-god-but-asked-for-no-pay-for-he-believed-that-god/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [God will only give you what you would have asked for if you knew everything he knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/god-will-only-give-you-what-you-would-have-asked-for-if-you-knew/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Don't be so busy 'working' for God that you don't do what God has asked you to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/don-t-be-so-busy-working-for-god-that-you-don-t-do-what-god-has-asked/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [What God has asked you to do is not just difficult, it is impossible. He is well able!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-caine/what-god-has-asked-you-to-do-is-not-just-difficult-it-is-impossible/) [Christine Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-caine/) > [God never asked us to meet life's pressures and demands on our own terms or by relying upon our own strength. Nor did He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-never-asked-us-to-meet-life-s-pressures-and-demands-on-our-own/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“God, the devil, and Orafoura were walking along a river one day when they came across three naked women splashing in the water. God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/god-the-devil-and-orafoura-were-walking-along-a-river-one-day-when/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“I wanted to ask my father about his regrets. I wanted to ask him what was the worst thing he'd ever done. His greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-wanted-to-ask-my-father-about-his-regrets-i-wanted-to-ask-him-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Because of course she had known she must go. She always did the thing because in obedience lay the integrity that God asked of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-goudge/because-of-course-she-had-known-she-must-go-she-always-did-the-thing/) [Elizabeth Goudge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-goudge/) > [Sometimes God allows us to explore the 'whys' of His instructions. Other times He wants us to obey 'because He said so.' Has God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/sometimes-god-allows-us-to-explore-the-whys-of-his-instructions-other/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [God asked, what is forgiveness? A little girl gave a lovely reply: it is the wonderful fruit that a tree gives when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-asked-what-is-forgiveness-a-little-girl-gave-a-lovely-reply-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Thomas Merton > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [If nothing that can be seen can either be God or represent Him to us as He is, then to find God we must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-nothing-that-can-be-seen-can-either-be-god-or-represent-him-to-us/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [It is almost impossible to overestimate the value of true humility and its power in the spiritual life. For the beginning of humility is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/it-is-almost-impossible-to-overestimate-the-value-of-true-humility/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [We are not perfectly free until we live in pure hope. For when our hope is pure, it no longer trusts exclusively in human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-are-not-perfectly-free-until-we-live-in-pure-hope-for-when-our/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The desire to kill is like the desire to attack another with an ingot of red -hot iron: I have to pick up the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-desire-to-kill-is-like-the-desire-to-attack-another-with-an-ingot/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [To enter into the realm of contemplation one must in a certain sense die: but this death is in fact the entrance to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/to-enter-into-the-realm-of-contemplation-one-must-in-a-certain-sense/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The mission of Christian humility in social life is not merely to edify, but to keep minds open to many alternatives. 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If you write for men--you may make some money and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-you-write-for-god-you-will-reach-many-men-and-bring-them-joy-if/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Contemplation means rest, suspension of activity, withdrawal into the mysterious interior solitude in which the soul is absorbed in the immense and fruitful silence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/contemplation-means-rest-suspension-of-activity-withdrawal-into-the/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Explore all 851 Thomas Merton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## More Answers quotes > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. 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It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [There is a comfort in rituals, and rituals provide a framework for stability when you are trying to find answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-norville/there-is-a-comfort-in-rituals-and-rituals-provide-a-framework-for/) [Deborah Norville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-norville/) > [A religious person answers to God, not to the elected or non-elected official.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/a-religious-person-answers-to-god-not-to-the-elected-or-non-elected/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [Enjoying life isn't about finding the answers, but living the questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-margolis/enjoying-life-isn-t-about-finding-the-answers-but-living-the-questions/) [Sue Margolis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-margolis/) Browse all 7,843 Answers quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In our creation, God asked a question and in our truly living; God answers the question.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/in-our-creation-god-asked-a-question-and-in-our-truly-living-god/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Answers" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/in-our-creation-god-asked-a-question-and-in-our-truly-living-god/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e45/thomas-merton-231_answers_in-our-creation-god-asked-a-question-and_863316.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e45/thomas-merton-231_answers_in-our-creation-god-asked-a-question-and_863316.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e45/thomas-merton-231_answers_in-our-creation-god-asked-a-question-and_863316.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In our creation, God asked a question and in our truly living; God answers the question.” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas Merton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In our creation, God asked a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/in-our-creation-god-asked-a-question-and-in-our-truly-living-god/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/in-our-creation-god-asked-a-question-and-in-our-truly-living-god/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```