In the writings of Eugene de Mazenod each letter is summarized in a few words. The summary of Eugene’s letter of October 28, 1833 reads “Submission to God’s will”. And so while I have read the entire letter my whole being keeps returning to those four words – ‘submission to God’s will’.
“My dear friend. […] one must discern within the course of events and even within the course set by man’s deliberate choice a higher course set by Providence which governs all by its wisdom. […] I need this when I am tempted to be vexed at not having followed a particular inspiration that I believed to be better than its opposite which in fact I settled on, whether out of deference for the opinion of others or for any other reason, especially when drawbacks result that are difficult to remedy” (470:VIII in Oblate Writings)
I read this a few times but return to that four-word summary – ‘submission to God’s will’. Rather than drudgery it sounds like a beautiful invitation. An invitation to ‘be’. An invitation that promises freedom, that promises opportunities. An invitation that intimates that I do not have to ‘do’ it all myself.
What have I got lose? This does not mean that I am giving up on anything but it might just mean that I am entering into and taking part in something new. If I am busy fighting everything around me – God, people, work, the weather, the imperfect government… and if I am busy looking for the bad, the weak, the faults and the failures – I will never be able to take time and see the good and the love and the beauty.
An open door before me and all I need to do is let go of myself and walk through it. A powerful image before me.
I keep saying ‘my all for God’. Guess I better look at just how much does ‘my all’ really mean. I might just want to look what I am really ‘giving into’. I’d like it to be God!