The Dude Abides
I’ve been ridiculously blessed to be a part of a faith community grounded and characterized first and foremost in love.
One of our pastors, Jay Grant, exudes love. He beams it. Says it. Gives it. Shows it. Tells it. And accepts it, lovingly.
His sermon from last Sunday 12/26 is just what I needed to hear right now. Maybe it will be for you or someone you know, too.
In the new year, may you let go of all that weighs you down.
May you let go of fear, self-doubt, ardent judgmentalism, unkindness, petty injuries, and anxiety.
May you let go of bad habits and chronic sins — of commission and omission; things done and said and things not done and not said that should have been.
May you let go of hostile self-criticism and feelings of unworthiness.
May you let go of old wounds and divisions; broken relationships; feelings of alienation and loneliness. May you let go of a lack of vision, of bondage (mental, physical, spiritual), of unhealthy expectations or binding limits.
May you let go of grudges, spite, anger, vitriol, bitterness, sorrow and despair.
May you let go of narrow-mindedness, us-and-them-ness, and the desire to help God across the street like a little old lady.
May you let go of anything that stops you from loving without limits, be it your family, your spouse, your neighbors, your perceived enemies, your persecutors, your colleagues, your bosses, your tormentors, strangers and yourself.
May you, in the words of Bruce Cockburn, let go of the things that keep you tethered and, as 2011 dawns, take your place with grace and then be on your way.
And may you know in ever more powerful ways how much God loves you and that there is nothing that you can do to make God love you less, or love you more.
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