the practice of unpossessing
The month of May kind feel tight. If you look at your calendar and it presents like a weird game of Tetris then you know what I mean.
We can’t control what shows up on the calendar nor can we walk away from commitments but I am convinced that life with God enables our soul to be simple and free. Outward movements are out of our control but inwardly ones can move us from tightness to lightness, from complexity to simplicity.
Last month I realized that even my morning spiritual book box seemed a bit tight... literally! I was reading too much.
A busy outward life can leak into a higher expectation of soul work. I had to set this box of books aside even if that felt counter-intuitive.
Spiritual subtraction (not addition) was more important for me at that time.
When I sat the box aside for a couple weeks, I then printed out John chapters 13-18 from the Bible Gateway website. It's all I read in the mornings for a few weeks.
I adjusted the settings so the print out would not include chapter titles or verse numbers. It was a simple reading of the upper room that has so much to say about letting go, unity within the Trinity and being sent into the world.
On the back of the packet I printed out printed Rublev’s painting of the Trinity (if you want to know more about praying with icons I recommend this Henri Nouwen book). After I would read a section, I would then meditate and pray with this image before me.
This morning (Sunday the 18th) I reflected on Jesus’ prayer in John 17. I was struck by this prayer reflecting Jesus letting go of the disciples, turning them over to the Father’s protection and praying that they would be set apart, sent out and never forget their belovedness with God.
If we can also learn a similar way to let go or unpossess then we too can show up to life with greater freedom and presence.
Tight can become light.
As I meet with people, I see the soul need for both grace and practice.
Dallas Willard once defined discipleship as “discerning what is possessing us and then release all by the grace of God.”
What is possessing our inner life? How might I experience God’s grace as I let go?
Sometimes these one-liners help me if I’m on the go:
Return to the simple.
Think subtraction over addition.
Ask what has a hold on you.
People around me benefit from inner freedom.
Show up without the need to show off.
Do the next right thing in love.
See your place at the table of Father, Son and Spirit.
Everyone’s handle on life looks different. Over time the way we control our life develops a unique grip that we must first identify. Mine is people oriented. If I can control perceptions and do well relational then all is well - but is it? Gripping life reveals life’s grip on our soul. That's not inner simplicity.
For me it takes time to discern what is possessing me and clear the way for the grace of God. Long walks, authentic journaling or an over night solitary retreat are all helpful for me.
If I am moving fast and making those Tetris blocks disappear then deep prayerful breaths while driving in the car loosens up my soul.
Exhale what might have a hold on our soul and inhale the grace of God.
Simple, daily breaths are an incredible metaphor that reminds us to unpossess.
As we breath, we can then live with presence! When our soul is light then we can be light.
I have a lot of experience ministering in tightness: looking at my watch, thinking about what is next, worrying about something and not being able to rest. That kind of lifestyle is complicated and shows up in how I relate.
This weekend I officiated a wedding and allowed adequate time beforehand so I could let go of outcomes and show up with presence. It was a successful experiment! I loved every minute and had incredible conversations.
Again, our inner freedom is for others (Bonhoeffer). Our experience of the Trinity (divine joy, peace and love) is to be reflected as we are sent out with the story of Christ on our lips and the Spirit's presence on our face.
Oh God, may we move from tightness to lightness so that our freedom can be for the sake of others. Amen.