My one big “spiritual insight” of the last few years is that I can’t find God in the past because it’s over, I can’t meet God in the future because I’m not there yet – the one and only place where I can encounter God is right here and now in this present moment.
This is a lesson that I keep needing to learn. I have spent the last couple of weeks worried about the economy and how it’s going to affect Loyola Press – sleepless nights… the works. I finally realized that: a) my worst fears are probably not going to materialize, b) all my fretting is not going to affect the outcome one iota and c) I need to remember to trust in the Holy Spirit.
I can handle pretty much anything if I’m taking it moment by moment. The sanest thing I can do is to stop worrying and make myself a nice cup of tea.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Mark Schoen 03.23.09 at 10:18 am
What a wonderful and timely reminder! For those of us who occasionally get frustrated with our spiritual journey because were not “there” yet, this reminder is especially important. The “now” of my journey is what I need to pay attention to, not some future point which will always lie in the future. Thank you for your insight!
Kerry 03.23.09 at 10:56 am
Your words are so true. Sometimes it is hard to Let Go and Let GOD. We always want to drive and not be a passenger. I am experiencing the same thing. I am currently looking for a job and my husband has been offered a job away from home and away from us. What do we do, PRAY. I can always remember my favorite verse. Through God all things are possible. We have to BELIEVE that he will help us always. But we have to be the passenger.
Michelle 03.23.09 at 8:22 pm
I, too, find a good way to look for God right here and now is with a cup of tea in my hand. I’m enjoying a book by the Anglican bishop of Reading: “Do Nothing to Change Your Life” . Apparently he handed out egg timers at the local train station to encourage commuters to take 3 minutes to be still, and know God. The four minutes it takes for me to brew a cup of tea seems to serve a similar purpose in the middle of an otherwise busy day.
Thanks for the reminder to give up “needless anxiety”…
Maura 03.24.09 at 10:15 am
Ok I’m going to be totally honest about my control freakiness here. And I appologize ahead of time if I offend anyine but I have to share that the phrase “Let go, Let God” just drives me up the wall. I don’t know if it is that it is contrary to my yankee work ethic or what but in my ears (rather like the phrase ” it’s all good” but that is another diatribe) it sounds like a static platitude that sells short the interactive nature of our relationship with God. I’m not sure how to put this clearly but I do believe that there are times when those things that wake us in the night are God’s little invitations to bring a situation to bring our concerns to him in prayer, to let him help us transform a situation. Living in the moment has it’s benefits ( it is certainly less distracting some days) but then reflecting on the past allows us to learn lessons and looking towards the future and inspire hope.
I suspect that all of you would see the value of those times. I guess my soul just cries out for a language that articulates that balance and speaks to the ongoing growth of our relationship with God with all its ebbs and flows. To be able to bring all things to God the good and the bad our blessings and concerns, our heart’ desires etc. are not always pretty but how are they to be transformed if we aren’t mindfull of them all and don’t offer them up to Him.
Agian I appologize if I seem to be misjudging any of you I know that complete theologies that take a life time of reflection can’t be contained in a few mere paragraphs.
Paul 03.24.09 at 11:40 am
Everyone,
Yesterday – when I posted on this topic – was one of those days when I didn’t stop for one second from the moment I walked in the door until I crawled out many hours later. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner.
Maura is certainly trenchant in her position, but I think there are others who find the phrase “Let go, let God” helpful to them. In this matter I like to follow Chairman Mao Tse Tung who famously said, “Let a thousand flowers bloom.” What works for one person will drive another round the bend, so we accomodate many points of view.
Thank you all for caring enough to comment.
Paul