September 23, 2019

C. S. Lewis observed this daily occurrence: “It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.”

So true, but how do you shove all the wild, rushing animals back? How do you listen to That Other Voice? Not by willpower, for sure. The practice of detachment is helpful, but only a 50-50 proposition in my experience. Mindfulness is an ally too – simply recognizing the shape and species of the wild animals as they rush in will begin to defang the beasts.

The surest way to experience the larger, stronger, quieter life is to admit your inability to control the animals (you are not a professional lion tamer, after all!) and ask God to be in charge of Everything – you, your animals, your frets and fusses, your very being. As St. Paul says, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Here’s a prayer to get you on your way today.

“Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you, and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.  (A Prayer of Self-Dedication – BCP p. 832)