Our Father is a Better Director than I
“Your father knows what you need before you ask him. This is how you are to pray” -Matthew 6:8
I've recently found myself saying “I feel like God is calling me to do this” only to have everything come crumbling down into ashes. Even when things are going well, it's not too long before I feel deep emptiness, loneliness, and frustration. What’s going on? Am I not doing what God wants me to do?
In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches us how to pray to Our Father with “The Lord’s Prayer.” The words, "Our Father", is a humbling reminder that I cannot discern God's will alone. Whenever I make big decisions on my own, I always end up following MY will. I start running the show, barking orders, convinced that if everyone just followed my script, everything would be great. But it never is. Though my intention is good, I set myself up for failure by imposing my will onto others, get hurt when things don’t go my way, become resentful, and then give into temptation to escape the pain of the problems of my own making.
This vicious cycle has persisted all my life and stolen so much from me. But the Lord’s Prayer has been my light and weapon against my own willfulness. Every time I pray the words “thy will be done”, surrendering my will becomes easier. Taking responsibility for my shortcomings becomes easier. Forgiveness becomes easier. And most importantly, receiving and giving Christ's love becomes easier.
Have I tried to play God recently? Whose will am I following? What expectations can I let go of so I can better receive and share the unconditional love of God?
Nate Dias