As I have been doing some research on St. Birgitta of Sweden (St. Bridget of Sweden,) one of the chapters in the book I recently read, Open the Door, came back to me.
St. Brigitta of Sweden is known as the Patron Saint of Widows. But, she is also known as the Patron Saint of Failures. This later title is said to have been granted because she never accomplished her vision to establish a new monastic order in Sweden–The Order of the Most Holy Savior, also known as the Brigittines.
One of the chapters in the book, Open the Door, talks about detaching from the results of what I do. It was an idea that I had trouble grasping. I think this is because I am such a goal oriented person. The idea that that might not be a good thing has caused a bit of a struggle in me.
All I am asked to do is “make the deepest commitment with a total detachment of were it will take [me].”
Open the Door by Joyce Rupp p. 164
The saying to “Let Go and Let God” is one I have heard many times, and I try to apply it to my worries. Yet, the idea of applying it to my actions and what I do was something new. Consequently, I have been thinking often about what it means to let go of the results of my actions. It really requires a lot of faith to do this!
I know that God’s way of answering prayer can be very different than what my answers might be. I can deal with that. I can pray that God’s will be done. However, not being able to see the outcome of what I try so hard to do is something else. I like to have a goal, a vision.
Maybe the problem with having a goal is that my goal is not necessarily God’s goal. It is easy to get so caught up in my vision, that my desire to please God gets left behind. My pursuit can easily turn into my own ego trip.
It ended up being St. Birgitta’s daughter, who carried on after her death and fulfilled her dream to established the new order.
Lord, help me walk humbly with You at my side. Help my trust in You to be the only motivation I need.
