|
Today’s Scripture ~ Roman 8.27-29 (NLT)
27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers (or, for God's holy people) in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together (or, And we know that everything works together) for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Wisdom Saying
If the work of our being made holy presents, apparently, the most insurmountable difficulties, it is because we do not know how to form an accurate idea of the process.
In reality holiness can be reduced to one single practice, fidelity to the duties appointed by God. Now this fidelity is equally within each one's power, whether in active or passive practice.
The active practice of fidelity consists in accomplishing the duties which come to us, whether imposed by the general laws of God in nature or of the Church, or by the particular state that we may have embraced in life. Its passive exercise consists in the loving acceptance of all that God sends us at each moment.
*Jean-Pierre de Caussade (d. 1751). Abandonment to Divine Providence. St. Louis: B. Herder Book Company [c. 1921]. Adapted by Brian K. Wilcox for modern readers.
Wisdom Story
A wise Spiritual Teacher was walking early one morning under a tree. As the sun arose, he was singing happily and smiling merrily, while he walked along in the white sand. The Teacher was singing praises to God and thanking God in his heart for the beautiful day and the many blessings he enjoyed in life.
A monkey was in the tree. The monkey dropped a coconut, and it fell on the Teacher's head. The Teacher dropped onto the sand dazed.
After recovering he stood up. He picked up the coconut, drank its milk, ate its meat, and made a bowl from its shell.
Happily, he walked on again, singing and smiling, even though his head did have a knot on it and ached from the dazing blow.
*Adapted from Anthony de Mello. The Song of the Bird.
Comments
There are many matters we have no control over. Some things do just happen. Surrendering to Divine Providence does not mean accepting everything that happens to us was determined to be by God. This would be another form of fate.
Trusting Diving Providence lets us, however, see everything that happens in our lives within God's will for us. Each thing can be received faithfully with all others as the recipe by which God is working out His will in and through us. Then, we can affirm, God is using this for my ultimate good.
Certainly, sometimes a temporary circumstance and the ultimate good appear to contradict each other. Often a single happening by itself lacks any inherent good. This is why St. Paul speaks of things working together for the good.
What is the summation of joy and the Divine will for you and me? To "become like his Son." As I become more like Christ, I fit more God's wise design for my life, a pattern fitted to my particular being and true to the essence of my individual soul. In becoming more like Christ, I become more my True Self.
We can take every experience of life and consecrate it to the purpose of taking on the image of Christ. If we do this, we can trust the Holy Spirit will companion us through all life, and the Spirit will bring to us the persons and situations to bring good out of even the most trying circumstances.
The Christian way of becoming more like Christ is not adapting to everyday happenings of our lives. And this approach is not a psychological technique to help us manage the craziness and confusion life can throw at us.
The way of trusting the Divine will working in and through us is a Christic way. That is, this way is anointed with the Holy Spirit, in a sweet and ardent surrender to the potential of all things to shape us into the likeness of Christ and, thus, lead us more deeply into the Heart of God.
Suggested Reflection and Spiritual Exercise
How does Divine Providence differ from fate?
Explain your understanding of the active and passive ways of trusting Divine Providence, as given by de Caussade, above.
What does it mean to consecrate a life experience to God?
How does the Wisdom Story above relate to the comments and Scripture reading?
Is there something in your life you need to surrender to Divine Providence, trusting God is using it for good? If so, write a prayer of consecration of this matter you want to surrender to Divine Providence.
Brian is available to respond to requests pertaining to seeking a Spiritual Director, his speaking, doing classes, workshops, or retreats for churches or other spiritual groups. He will inform regarding how to receive his other writings or offer replies to comments or questions.
For submission of replies, see below:
*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his wife, Rocio, and their two dogs, St. Francis and Bandit Ty, in Clearwater and Punta Gorda, Florida. He is a United Methodist pastor and vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in Georgia. His passion is living a contemplative life and inspiring others to experience a deeper relationship with Christ through contemplative prayer and living.
|
