Discussion point at the end of the day…

That friend of ours would finish his prayer in this way: “I love the Will of my God and that is why, abandoning myself completely into his hands, I pray that he may lead me however and wherever he likes.”  Escriva, Josemaria (2011-01-31). The Forge (Kindle Locations 374-376). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.

That is a hard statement to say – especially for me these days.  I think of several of my friends, for who the journey of the moment is scary, it not only causes them great anxiety and fear, but it causes me to be anxious, to try and analyze and research and find ways to encourage them.  I think of a friend who just started his “formal” formation to the pastorate today, knowing the challenges he will face, even as his families undergoes a number of other life transitions.  Another friend who will walk beside him the next four years – and faces different challenges along the same road.  A young seminarian I met, who I have a gut level instinct that he is something special, but his road will not be the norm as many other pastors.

How can each be encouraged to simply trust, to simply abandon their own desire and let a God who is here, but not always easily seen and felt, take them into His loving hands.  How can we love the will…that we aren’t sure we like?

How can I, even as I look to the future as a pastor, and see where God would do the same thing – not just with me, but with a congregation of people I love.  (Knowing that some may struggle with what God is planning for us, even as we abandon ourselves into His hands…

Luther would say this is a First Commandment issue – will we trust that He is our God, our Father, our Almighty, Everlasting, Wise Counselor, One who creates a kingdom of peace – in the midst of our messed up broken lives.  That is a level of trust that is foreign to us today, hard, difficult, risky,….

necessary.

We can’t play God anymore.  We can’t pretend to have strength that we don’t have.  We need to find the rest that comes only when we get into the passenger seat, and let someone else pilot our lives.  For there, in letting God reign, and rule, we find the rest and peace to hear His voice, to feel His presence, the stillness to have peace and know… to experience, to have revealed to us that He is our God.

Lord, this evening, help me to abandon myself to you… help my heart rejoice in being Your child, in letting You guide the way of my friends, to bless the path of Vicars Mark and Eduardo, to help the people I shepherd know Your love and hear your voice….and may we all pray the same prayer that start this blog…

I love the Will of my God and that is why, abandoning myself completely into his hands, I pray that he may lead me however and wherever he likes.”

AMEN