Surrender

Practice of the Week
Surrender

A saying from the theist traditions:

“Let go and let God.”

Some of us are more comfortable with the phrase than others. But all of us -- theist, atheist or somewhere in between -- benefit from letting go of the idea that we can do it all on our own.

The famous third step of Alcoholics Anonymous is

“[we] make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand God.”

Or trust in the universe. Surrender to an order of things that you did not make. As Max Ehrmann's "Desiderata" tells us:

"You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should."

Things do hold together, and the forces that hold things together carry us along as well. It is as if the laws of nature were themselves a Love that will not let us go.

"Let tomorrow come tomorrow. Not by your will is the house carried through the night." (Wendell Berry)

Can you surrender? Let go of the impulse to try to control? Let things happen instead of trying to make them happen? Harmonize with the music around you instead of trying to direct it?

This week's practice is to stretch your capacity to surrender -- to take joy in the grace that is given, unearned and undeserved.

Part 1. Meditate on this video. Watch and listen to it numerous times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_7XIKVgRGY

Thank you for your mercy.
Would've been lost if you hadn't seen me.
You've brought me to the end of myself.
This has been the longest road.
Just when my hallelujah was tired,
You gave me a new song.
I'm letting go. I'm letting go.
I'm letting go -- Falling into You.
I confess I still get scared sometimes,
But perfect love comes rushing in,
And all the lies screamed inside go silent
The moment You begin.
Now I'm letting go. I'm letting go.
I'm letting go -- Falling into You.
You remind me of things forgotten.
You unwind me until I'm totally undone.
And with Your arms around me, fear was no match for Your love
Now You've won me.
With your arms around me, I can let it all go.
You're the safest place to let it all go.
Now I'm letting go. I'm letting go.
I'm letting go -- Falling into You.

Part 2. Let the song take you where you need to go. If the musician’s theist perspective speaks to you, lean into it and let it take you deeper than you could on your own. If it doesn’t resonate with your theological stance, work with and translate it until you make a connection in your own unique way. Surrender may ultimately be more a matter of feeling our way into it than thinking our way into it. Let this video offer you that gift.

Part 3. Journal about what comes up for you through this exercise. What new feeling arises about where your journey is calling you to go? What are you called to do next?

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Previous Practice of the Week: "Letting Go of White-Centeredness"
For list of all weekly practices: "Practices of the Week Index"