The imagery can be as gentle as “a feather on the breath of God” (Hildegard) or as shocking as “immolate me” (Margaret Mary Alacoque), but the essence is the same.

This is where the Christian life will ultimately lead if we want it and are willing to go there.   This is the “I just want to do God’s will” of Martin Luther King, Jr, and the “do with me what you will” of Charles de Foucauld. It is the “not as I will but as you will” and the “into Thy hands, Father” of Jesus.

After conversion and after discipleship and after spiritual formation comes abandonment to God, being truly willing and able to be used by God as he sees fit, without our concern regarding the form.   This is when the Christian life can start getting crazy… in the best possible sense.

This is the “I just want to be a pencil in the hand of God” of Mother Teresa.

If you’ve walked with Jesus for a long time now and are wondering what’s next, perhaps you are being invited into greater abandonment to God.   If you find yourself desperately in love with Jesus and wondering what more you can offer him, it may be the same invitation.  If you are longing for more, this is a glimpse of where that longing leads you.  If you would consider yourself somewhat well-seasoned in the Christian walk, be of good cheer!  There is still more pathway to walk and depths to dive into and heights to climb.  And it’s not too much to say that the world right now, and our country as well, needs many more people who have reached this place in their hearts.

Abandonment to God is a critical topic for the later stages of the Christian life; so important for long-time Christians to consider, and so often unexplored.  For the first time ever we are offering a day retreat on it on Saturday, November 5 at Corhaven, and I’ll lead it.   If you find yourself ‘longing for more’, this could really help you, and will surely challenge you….which is a good thing!  I’m sure to be challenged as well, and I hope you’ll join me.  We can listen for God together.