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In the story of the Annunciation to Mary, Mother of God, Mary responds to the angel Gabriel:
Let it happen to me as you have said. (St. Luke 1.38, NLV)
A disciple visited the Teacher. “Sir, I’m confused by your teachings on the naturalness of the spiritual Life. If spirituality is natural, then, why are so many religious persons acting so unnatural? Why are they not manifesting the Life of God more abundantly and clearly?” The Teacher lifted a potted plant. Then, he inquired, “Is it natural or unnatural for this plant to flourish?” “Natural,” replied the disciple. “What,” asked the Teacher, “is the only thing this plant does to naturally manifest Life?” “Grow,” replied the disciple. The Teacher spoke, “No. Receive.”
A Course in Miracles reads, “I need add nothing to the Divine’s plan. But to receive it, I must be willing not to substitute my own in place of it. And that is all.”
Marianne Williamson, in A Return to Love, writes:
It’s not our job to figure out how to accomplish God’s purposes on earth. That’s not help, it’s interference. It is merely our job to so deeply align our hearts and minds with the Divine’s spirit within us, that our lives then become involuntary instruments of the Divine’s will. Insights occur. Situations shift gear. Our effort to consciously control the unfolding of good does not produce good so much as it brings forth a slightly less tainted brand of human willfulness.
In the Christmas Story, the response of Mary invites us to a refreshing and powerful posture in living our lives. The subtle process of openness, receptivity, and surrender to the Wisdom of God already working is the Mary Way. Mary did not have to discover that God was calling her to birth Christ. That will was manifested to her, and much to her surprise. Mary found herself already in a plan set in motion long before her. She was privileged to participate. Her only role was to say, “Yes, I receive.” Likewise, we are in a plan set in motion long before our arrival on this earth, and we, too, being privileged to participate, can say “Yes.”
Questions
Do we trust in the power of the radical openness of Mother Mary? Can we, today, say, “Spirit, I have little idea of what you want to do through me, but let it happen with me as you have already willed it to happen?” Or, do we only trust in competition, acquisition, producing, and grasping? If we, like Mary, say a simple “Yes,” then, we will find surprises beyond anticipation occurring in our lives. And, also, we can learn to relax from the frenetic pace of getting; we can learn more to enjoy the joy and contentment that comes from being receptive to the Plan and Pace of Spirit. Do you trust that these daily surprises and joy and contentment is possible for you? Why? Why not?
A Prayer
Pray this prayer for any situation that you need to turn over to God.
Dear God, I surrender this situation to you. May it be used for your purposes. I ask only that my heart be open to give love and receive love. May all the results unfold according to your will. Amen.
By Marianne Williamson
Today’s Affirmation
I am relaxed and receptive in You, O Christ.
A Spiritual Exercise
Sit in a relaxed position. Close your eyes. Relax, while you breath naturally from the diaphragm. After becoming relaxed, envision Christ in a manner that fits your favorite image of Christ. See yourself standing before Him. Tell Him that you want the joy of surrendering to allow God to work through your life. Ask him to give you wisdom and strength to relax and allow the plan of His Father to manifest in your life. Then, give Christ time to respond to you. Simply listen and notice what message of affirmation might arise. Before leaving the scene, express thankfulness and love to Christ.
OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spiritual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, write Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at briankwilcox@comcast.net.
Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union, can be ordered through major bookdealers.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
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