A Surrender to Gods Will

September 2, 2016 by Imagine Sisters in Uncategorized w 0

Written by a young woman named Helena, just before entering religious life.

Entering religious life has held major lessons in trust and surrender for me. Im
goal oriented, a planner, a person who likes to know the next step and do it. Over
the time of pre-postulancy, Ive been pulled, stretched, and formed in ways I
would not have even imagined, and I know this will continue to happen after I
enter. It has not been easy; on the contrary, it has been the hardest, most painful,
emotional experience of my life.But, at the same time, Christ has been there so
beautifully and lovingly, every step of the way. He continues to show me that
everything I surrender to Him is taken care of and even returned in ways I could
not have planned.

When I came to the realization that religious life was a very real possibility for
me, I was devastated. (Yes, I know this sounds contradictory to the heavenly
chorus one might think accompanies such a decision, but hear me out.) I was
devastated at the realization that the plans I had for my life might not be Christs
plans for my life. It didnt make sense. However, over the next few months as I
tried to wrap my head around what He was asking of me, I kept returning to the
image of the Cross. Christ gave us everything He had. The people around Him did
not understand. They mocked, betrayed, even tormented Him. The su ering of
the Cross did not make sense to human beings, but the divine joy of the
Resurrection and hope of eternal life could not come without the sacri ce of the
Cross. In comparison, the sacri ce of my plans, car, career and physical
separation from family and friends, while major sacri ces to me, seemed so
insigni cant in comparison to Christs sacri ce for us.

I was also comforted by Christs words in Matthew 26:39 during His agony in the
garden: Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet, not as I will, but
as you will. This became my constant prayer. At rst, I identi ed with what I
thought was Christs doubt and struggle. But during this time, I came across a
thought was Christs doubt and struggle. But during this time, I came across a
re ection on the Garden of Gethsemane by Mother Teresa, who beautifully
wrote: No. There was no doubt. It was only for a moment that He felt unsure.
That was as a human being. That was natural. The moment you accept, the
moment you surrender yourself, thats the conviction. But it may mean death to
youthen there is no doubt. The moment Jesus said Father, I am at your
disposal, Thy will be done, He had accepted. That was His agony. He felt all
things you and I would feel as human beings. Thats why He was like us, unto all
things, except sin.

God the Father was with Christ as He cooperated with the plan for salvation. I
had to trust that He would be with me as well, as I tried to cooperate with His
plan for me. The promise was there. The doors were open. What would I do?

St. Faustina phrases her acceptance much more eloquently than I, in imitation of
our Blessed Mothers at: I thank you Jesus, you who rst drank the cup of
bitterness before You gave it to me, in a much milder form. I put my lips to this
cup of Your Holy Will. Let all be done according to Your good pleasure.

Regardless of His ultimate plans for me, we are all called to say yes to following
Him, every day, in every state or stage of life. (Even if it simply starts with
reaching for a prayer book instead of our smartphones when we open our eyes in
the morning!) When we surrender our plans for His, even in the little things, the
joy and peace that comes from doing His will is indescribable.

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