Letting go and letting God...

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done."
~ Luke 22:42

This morning I was reading a prayer written by Charles de Foucauld, a trappist monk who was martyred in 1916.  He had lived his early life as a cavalry soldier, and later became a Catholic priest.  He would often live as a hermit for large periods of time.  One of the prayers that he wrote begins with these words:

"Father, I abandon myself into your hands, do with me what you will.  Whatever you may do, I thank you; I am ready for all, I accept all.  Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.  I wish no more than this, O Lord."

As Jesus prays in the garden, he shares these words, "Not my will, but your will be done," and then while on the cross he "surrenders," his spirit to God.

I know that we are invited each day to lift these words.  To "empty" ourselves, and welcome God to somehow come in and lead us.  It is something that I must remember.  It must be an intentional act of "letting go," and somehow, "letting God."

It is not natural for us to want to surrender, but allowing the God who created us to be present and leading, takes an act of intentionality for most of us.  While I am not always focused on this, I have tried to at least include this as part of a daily devotion.  In many ways, surrendering the day ahead to the will of God invites many things, but most of all, serves as a place where I can seem to begin anew.

I try to realize the words of de Foucauld.  The Spirit of Jesus given to us can help us pray it and grow to its fulfillment. Our inner peace depends on our willingness to make this prayer our own.

Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2020