September 17th, 2019
“Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.”
This, in my opinion, is the most powerful part of the Serenity Prayer. St. Paul tells us that Jesus Christ “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17) And yet, the One who created all things, rules all things, and in whom all things hold together, took this sinful world as it actually is.
What does this mean? He didn’t bat an eye at the woman at the well, who was working on her 5th (as far as we know) lover. He seemed to have no problem with his disciple Matthew’s shady past as a tax collector. And most astoundingly of all, he allowed himself to be led as a sheep to his own slaughter on the cross, never uttering a mumbling word.
What would just one day (this day!) of your life be like if you were to take this sinful world (the world, others, yourself) as it actually is? Sounds like the sound of a mysterious freedom to me.
“Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.” (Collect for 8th Sunday after the Epiphany – BCP p. 216)
