September 30, 2016
by Joan Kowalski
Creighton University's Student Life
click here for photo and information about the writer

Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 459

Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5
Ps 139:1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14ab
Luke 10:13-16

Praying Ordinary Time

Today I would like to reflect on Psalm 139: 1-3 and 9-10 for today’s reflection:

O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
You know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.

If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast.

THIS IS THE TIME IN MY LIFE WHEN I MUST LET GO!!!! Sure, we say that out loud to ourselves and others. We profess our knowledge of the omniscient God who knows every stitch of our being. However, I suggest we pause and just think about verses 1-3. God knows every little detail about who we are, our innermost thoughts, our comings and our goings, every step we take, and every step we don’t take. But, do we really trust that God is that almighty and powerful??? I would probably say we don’t. I would even venture to think many of us believe we are the ones who know what we will be doing and leave the God part out of it. So, how do we begin to not leave the God part out of it?!

WE MUST LET GO of loved ones, possessions and control. To many of us, these 3 things are very precious. We aren’t sure we can truly let go. In order to LET GO, we need to rest in God’s presence. After all, God has this…He is in control. Many times in my day to day journeys, I take a strong stance, place my hands on my hips, and I will tell everyone what they should do, never really taking into account the fact that God already has that figured out for the others, and even for me. Maybe this sounds familiar?

So let’s take a look at this from a different vantage point. Imagine having the awareness of God’s complete control, relaxing more and more during those times when the noise of the situation is all you can hear, and your mind wants to take charge. Pause for a moment, remind yourself that God has this, and let God open your clenched fist, place his hand into your hand, and lead the way. The more we relax in those times and open our hands to hold His hand, the more we will realize how much better the outcome in any given situation will be. Our minds have been opened to an understanding of His presence and His everlasting love, releasing our prized possessions into His care.

My prized possessions are my family members. Over the last 3 months, I have truly reflected on God being in control. This has been such a blessing not only for me, but more so for my prized possessions. God reminds me that I am secure when I hold His hand. He will never let go of my hand. He will be the one true north in those times when everything seems impossible. Many situations that could have escalated into total chaos were tempered to a mere blip in life. As I learned to relax more and more, knowing that God takes care of me, I became more aware of His care for my prized possessions.

In verses 9-10, we are reminded of God’s omnipresence. I must admit, I have tried to hide from so many people over the past 8 years, pretending that everything is just great. However, God wouldn’t allow that to happen, as he has a different plan, he’s in the driver’s seat. What has happened is a culmination of miracles everywhere. I have found peace in my conversations with my family. What used to be tense situations have become loving moments. Being able to look at someone who has caused many years of grief and confusion and to tell them how much I love them can come from nowhere else than God’s love. To embrace someone who I look at and simply want to run the other way to avoid them, but to pause and tell them how much they matter in my life and in God’s magnificent plan is freeing and a joyous process. To let go of what was and accept what is, just as God has planned it, has provided me with an open mind to learn how I can be more supportive for others.

Our security does not rest in our prized possessions and our control, it rests in God’s presence. God reminds us to trust Him, as He is our strength. What a blessed reassurance!

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JoanKowalski@creighton.edu

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