Ah, Romans, Paul's longest letter (that's why it's first after Acts) and many say his most complete statement of theology. I know what he is talking about here resonates with me, and my experience of conversion some 25 years ago. I placed myself, my life, in God's hands and it has felt right ever since -- still rich in pain and suffering, loss and challenge, and yet right. How to even explain that? I can point to particular moments of surrender, where I really let down, and let go, and then experienced God taking me on a new journey, a new adventure. What I am struggling with now is to do this on a daily, or even hourly, basis. How do I surrender minute by minute so that I can fully enter what God is doing each moment of my life? So I can flow with the changes and not get caught up in my own agenda?
I am finding help with this task these days through the practice of mindfulness, and the teachings of the Shambhala path, a secular approach to this Buddhist practice, that keeps echoing with reminders of the Christian path. When I can pause and be present in this moment, recognizing and accepting all its circumstances, that is a kind of surrender. Acceptance of what is, whether good or bad, pleasing or distressing -- and whatever my reaction to it is! -- this is a kind of surrender. And I think in that way I can enter into what God is doing. Because, first of all, what God is doing is keeping existence going, and whatever is is whatever God has brought into being. When I can remember to take that moment, that breath, that pause, I often find a grace and a clarity: clarity about what it is that I'm doing to follow God's call, and the grace of joy, fulfillment and gratitude. It makes (as in forms or creates) my day.
Prayer: Dear God, Help me weave this simple practice into the daily tapestry of my life, so that you can claim your rightful place, and so that I can respond to your call minute by minute, not just year to year. Amen.
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