Float and Surrender
“Our attempt to handle life on our own is like trying to stay above water in the deep end of the pool by flailing with all our might. But Jesus is in the water with us, encouraging us to lean back as he supports us, ready to remove his hands and lead us to the delightful discovery that we can indeed float if we will just follow his instruction.”
-Br. Jim Woodrum. Society of Saint John the Evangelist.
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Floating on the salt water of the ocean is one of our best experiences of surrender. We are carried by the waves and the current. We do not fight them. There is a feeling of great peace. All is well.
We can feel a similar experience listening to music or just sitting outside. Others, like myself, experience surrender when we write. We hopefully give into the Spirit working within us to lead us to a place where words are no longer blocked by the chatter in our mind. Some experience surrender when they read a book or watch a play or movie. Some find surrender when they practice spiritual exercises, like walking the labyrinth or reciting the rosary or practicing centering prayer. Many athletes tell me they experience surrender when they run or sail or take part in their sport. God offers us more ways than we can count to learn about surrender and peace. So many ways to be on the journey of connecting with the power greater than ourselves.
We do the best we can and then decide to surrender our life, our will, our problems over to a greater power which most of us call God. After we surrender we soon realize that God was there, caring for us and leading us all along.
Joanna. joannaseiber.com https://www.joannaseibert.com/
