Balanced and grounded.

Many of us talk about being balanced, or about being centered, anchored, grounded, in proportion, or at peace.  It seems to be the spiritual work in which all of us are most engaged in--being in the place of surrendered detachment in the midst of the turmoil of the world.

As people who follow God, we talk about this "surrendered detachment" as trust or as passionate patience or as cheerful obedience to God.  We follow Jesus who calls us to the paradox of being yoked with an easy burden and also called to deny ourselves and carry our cross.  We are called to abide and rest and also to persevere and give up ourselves.

Most deeply, this is the work of prayer in our lives.  Rather than prayer simply being a scheduled event, an intercessory list, or grace said around a table--prayer is living at the center of God.  Being balanced or centered or grounded has very little to do with our emotional/spiritual state.  Instead, it is about God's emotional/spiritual state. God invites us into the Center of the Divine, and when we open up our spirits to this, we find both our cross and our yoke of ease.

Henri Nouwen says: "Prayer is a way of life which allows you to find stillness in the midst of a world where you open your hands to God's promises and find hope for yourself, your neighbor, and your world."

Prayer is a way of life. We enter into prayer by the practice of releasing the white-knuckled grip that we have on or lives.  Slowly, daily, hourly we do the practice of living at the center of God. The place in which God defines us instead of ourselves defining us.

Today, I do this practice of living at the center of God.  It is not about me being centered, but about being willing for the Spirit to unclasp my clenched fists, so that I can be open to the Center of God.