Clay in the Hands

This morning, I sat down in my chair to have my prayerful reading time (Lectio).  I spent some time centering myself in preparation for my time with God – trying to clear my thoughts so that nothing would hinder my hearing what God wanted to say.  The concept I focused on to try and clear my mind was the idea of complete surrender.  Each time a random thought would enter my head, I would think the words, “complete surrender.”

The passage I read was Proverbs 3:5-15.  I struggled as I read.  Nothing was jumping off the page at me.  I meditated on the verses and then went back for a second reading.  Still – not much happened.  I meditated on the idea of God’s discipline and on wisdom and then went back for the third reading.

Throughout this process, I continued to think the words, “complete surrender.”

As I closed my time in prayer, I became a little frustrated that I did not feel I had met with God.  I did not sense an encounter in which God spoke to me through the words I was reading.  I thought back over the passage as I prayed, and I remembered the first words in verse 5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

I began to think about my experience.  I had entered into this time of prayer and reading with the expectation of hearing from God.  I had entered into this time with the idea that I would be completely surrendered to what God would say.  As I thought about my time, I remembered that I may not sense a vivid connection with God each time I sit down to read and pray.  That is not to say God is not present or that God is not listening and speaking, but somedays are more clear than others.  But complete surrender means I put myself in God’s hands regardless.

Then it dawned on me – that is the trust God expects of me.  Complete surrender requires complete trust.  I may not always “feel it,” but that doesn’t mean I stop trusting or surrendering.

So here is my prayer for you and for me today:

God, I do trust you.  I know that you are present and that you have plans for me today.  I surrender myself to you.  Use me as you see fit today.

Amen

Be blessed!