“ And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
-
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
When
I was twenty-nine, I remember telling my dear friend and spiritual mother
Ethel, who I lost to cancer in 2007, that I didn’t “feel” God. Then in my
early thirties I lost everything including my marriage, job, home, mental and
physical health, and my beloved dog. With nowhere to turn to and
unknowingly having “angels” in my life, I began my task of building a life
based on God. I knew Christian “rituals,” I had been baptized and
confirmed in the Episcopal Church. But I still didn’t understand what God
truly is and why we must surrender to his will. The dictionary defines
surrender “to give, up abandon, or relinquish to yield (something) to another; to
deliver up possession of a demand or under duress to give (oneself) up to some
influence, course, emotions.” “Will” is defined as the “power of control
the mind has over its own action, stubborn determination.” Because
I did not understand that God is love or trust that love, I remained stubborn
and determined - not willing to give up control. But God didn't
give up on me and blessed me with grace even when I did not deserve it, opened
doors, and sent “angels” when I needed them. I slowly began to trust God and
believe that he was the force behind the good in my life.
How
we do we learn to trust and surrender to something unseen? One of my
favorite Bible passages is - "Faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen"(Heb.11:1). It is similar
to the hymn Amazing Grace – “I was blind and now I see.” To
see requires us to be in the moment and to be still and to listen to our soul
and the Holy Spirit, which is our conduit to God and others and to follow
Jesus. As I have matured in my journey, I know to surrender to God
it is the most amazing experience.
When
I let go of controlling or fearing the outcome/others and focus on the moment
acting out of love and goodwill while working on being patient and listening,
God has accomplished amazing things in my life. I must remain open to new
paths and doors even when I can’t see where they lead. My joy now comes
from not knowing God’s plan but knowing it is infinitely better than mine when
I trust in his love!
If
we perceive that life in this world is a gift including each other and that the
ultimate gift is at the end of this earthly life because God loves us, it
changes everything here on Earth. It is sweet surrender.
The will of God will never take you
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The will of God will never take you
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercy of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.
No comments:
Post a Comment