Friday of the Third Week of Lent - March 28


Let Go and Let God. The phrase just rolls off one’s tongue. It sounds so easy. But increasingly, it feels like we live in a society of control freaks. We feel the need to control our own destiny. But that brings a lot of responsibility, stress and anxiety. Can we just throw abandon to the wind? Today’s readings offer some guidance. Hosea illustrates rewards. The Psalm warns of consequences. However, what really struck me was the Gospel’s discussion of the first commandment.

First and foremost. “Love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, all your strength.” Is that difficult? Indeed, it is. The secret sauce for that level of love and devotion is TRUST. How can you love anyone if you don’t trust them; even when it seems like it is not reciprocated?

Trusting God doesn’t mean I always get what I want because God is considering the best interest of the universe. One particular outcome might not be in my best interest, but it serves a greater and common 
good. To follow the first commandment, I have to trust that things happen for a reason, despite my careful planning. Maybe this isn’t the right time. Maybe this isn’t the right person. Maybe this isn’t the right place. I can’t fret or worry, but rather, I have to take a leap of faith. I have to Let Go and Let God. When I do this, I feel incredible freedom. I feel unburdened. I “blossom like the lily” as described in Hosea.

My Plan A may not be God’s Plan A. To follow the first commandment to love God, I have to trust God. So, I trust God and move on to Plan B. As a reminder, I keep two lines from my father’s favorite poem “Do the Next Thing” as a screensaver on my phone: “Fear not tomorrows, child of the King. Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.”

Q: Has God ever answered a prayer of mine in unexpected ways?

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