"The disciple simply burns his boats and goes ahead. He is called out ... The old life is left behind, and completly surrendered. The disciple is dragged out of his relative security into a life of absolute insecurity...our of the realm of the finite...into the realm of infinite possibilities." ---Dietrick Bonhoeffer, Cost of Disciplehip
These past couple of days as I have sat with Doug, I have had a little time to read more about pilgrimage and reflect on some wise words written by others. With the date that Doug will be coming home looming and with him still being far from rehabilitated, worries and concerns are keeping me awake and a little anxious. My anxiety of how I will care for him, lead me to prayer and reflection and led me to read. Knowing that worry and faith are juxtaposed to each other, I needed to find my center, to remember to have faith that all will be well no matter what. These words from Dietrict Bonhoeffer struck a cord with me. "The old life is left behind and completely surrendered". In order to move into our life that will be, I must surrender the old life. I must let go of what was and what was hoped for. We were indeed dragged out of the life we thought we were preparing for and brought to this moment.
We can't know how these next weeks and months will play out. All I really know is that we have to surrender the life left behind. But at the same time wait with hope and expectation and continue to believe in the slow work of God.
Today I was reflecting on some of the struggles that friends of ours are going through. I am reminded that in this life we all struggle, we all confront our own fears and brokenness. We all are brought to our knees at one time or another. We are all being called out of places of security and given the opportunity to make different decisions and to place our trust in a benevelent and loving God. In "The Soul of a Pilgrim" by Christine Valters Painter she writes:
"On a deeper level, the call is to not run away when things become challenging. Stability demands that we stay with difficult experiences and stay present to the discomfort they create in us."
To be on a pilgrimage we are called into discomfort. When we started this Mexican Camino we had no idea where it would lead. Our hope and the destination we seek is wholeness and healing. To reach this destination we are certainly being called out of what is comfortable for us. And so it is that with prayer and faith, we will continue to walk this path. I am thankful that I have a place to share these fears with others and that I will find comfort from those who journey with us. I am thankful that we have companions who will encourage us when we become afraid.
Today we were thankful for the visits from Kelsey, John and Steven and Fr. Dave. We are thankful for these moments of shared friendship and respite. Companionship gives us strength to journey on.
And so we pray:
God of Compassion, we give you thanks for the wise words of those who have gone before us and those who travel with us. We give you thanks for companions on The Way. Today we begin to prepare our hearts for the journey of Lent. We feel the calling or perhaps the dragging of us out of what is comfortable and pushing us to surrender all that is holding us back. Be with us in our fears and insecurities as we look for you on uncharted paths and move into the realm of infinite possibilities. In your name we ask it. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment