By Kate Glaser
I want answers to the variety of unknowns swirling around myself, my family and the community small and large.
There are so many methods we’ve concocted to will a higher power to bring us to our ideal outcome. We wish on stars, on a four-leaf clover, or imagine ourselves with three wishes from some magic lantern. We even used to make wishes on birthday candles, you know before we were afraid to gather and eat a cake that someone else’s breath has touched.
We have fox hole prayers in which we negotiate with God. God, if I just don’t get caught, if I get an A on this test: things will be different next time, I swear.
In all of this wishing, hoping, and praying, we quite often hold the belief that we know what is good for us. We mistakenly believe we are running the show. In this way: we play God.
I am a proponent of free will. We have choices. I like to work hard and be of service to my fellow person. I incorporate these choices into my daily life. I am not in the results business. My task is to do the footwork and leave the results up to God. For a type A personality this will never be easy. I still believe that I can get this ‘thing’ right. I am convinced there is a formula I can solve in order to win the cash and prizes. The more I believe I can get it right the less room I leave for God.
In Psalm 46 the psalmist states: Be still and know I am God.
Wait, that’s it? Be, be still, be still and know. Yes, that’s it. For millennia this is how we are called to be: present, still, and settled in the presence of God. This simple act of being still and knowing is so far removed from list making, Excel spread sheeting or five-year business planning. It seems quite the opposite of how the world calls us to be. And it is.
I propose we pray sincerely and leave room for God. Know that there are answers to our pleas which are bigger and better than our wildest imaginings. This is the simple act of Faith.
Let’s use this Psalm to attain peace, gratitude, and wisdom. Let go. God has us.
Kate Noonan Glaser M.S.S. M.A.R. is a Spiritual Director and Former Pastoral Associate of St. Catherine of Siena St. Agnes Parish.
