"Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly." (St. Ignatius Loyola)
We can claim to have faith; but how much do we truly trust God?? This concept is one that we must consider as we sit in confusion about "where our lives are headed"... In today's society where "everything" is so quickly attained and available, it seems that anything we want, desire, and "need" should happen all at once and when we feel it should. The temptation to fall into this way of thinking is so powerful. As children of God we must strive to abandon ourselves completely to the Lord and to trust our lives within his hands. When we come to recognize the Love our Lord truly has for us, it is then we begin to embrace the gift within the strife. The Lord knows exactly what we need and He will provide. Surrender to him and allow His will to prevail..it is through this act that we will truly know peace. I have posted one of my favorite prayers below to aid you in surrendering to His will with "serenity". (C.C.)
The Serenity Prayer: By: Reinhold Niebuhr
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
CC!!! Your reflections were very much thought provoking. Where do I start?
ReplyDeleteYou said...
As children of God we must strive to abandon ourselves completely to the Lord and to trust our lives within his hands. When we come to recognize the Love our Lord truly has for us, it is then we begin to embrace the gift within the strife.
I say ... AMEN !!!! It definitely reminded me of Prov. 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lead not on our own understanding BUT in ALL our ways acknowledge HIM and He will make our paths straight.
My questions is though ...could we really understand the Love God has for us? I think each day in our walk God gives us opportunity to see His love in a new way so we would not forget His gift of Love on that cross. It is at the cross we find love and grace in our time of need so let us approach the throne with confidence ( taken and reworded from somewhere in Hebrews)
2nd thought...God's grace
Grace is getting what we don't deserve....I like what St. Loyola said "if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly" Grace is something I sometimes forget about especially because I live in the World. Who in this world today give what we don't deserve? We second guess the actions of others when they genuinely mean well WHY? We don't know how to accept what we don't deserve. We assume we have to reciprocate the kind act. Likewise with God, I often mess up and stumble in my walk but instead of embracing God's grace and love and mercy I beat up on myself and try and make things right on my own. If only we may rest in God's grace and allow it to work in our lives. Thank you Lord that you are a patient God and as we walk with you and stumble you continue to show your love and grace and mercy. Lord, may I , especially in times of trouble remember your love and decide to trust in Your ways rather than my own. I love you Lord and I am thankful you are Lord of my life