I was born and raised in the Midwest and today’s reading from Jeremiah brought back fond memories of a popular hymn, “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” Please indulge me as I share the lyrics of the first stanza:
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will.
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
We are living in trying and scary times. As I write this the government has been shut down for 30 days, all over a Wall to keep those out who desire to create a better and safer life for themselves and their loved ones. Children have been separated at the border from their families and kept in cages. Not much progress has been made on gun control laws. Gender, racial, and sexual discrimination are still alive and well. These are just a few of the injustices that fill me with distress; “making my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief,” to put it like the Psalmist. It’s easy to hear the whispered, “Terror on every side!”
But we are called to put our faith and trust in the Holy One, to know that these times are in God’s hands and we will one day be delivered from our distress. She will guide and shape our lives according to Her will… all we must do is yield and be still, ready to be molded.
