The Burden Is Light: Liberating Your Life from the Tyranny of Performance and Success

He loves us and is committed to our flourishing and joy. Only when we truly believe that we are in the middle of his plan can we stop manipulating other people in an attempt to fulfill ours.

I first heard about this heartbreaking story in the book Mission Drift: The Unspoken Crisis Facing Leaders, Charities, and Churches

This metaphor became central to Henri Nouwen’s faith. At the end of his life, Nouwen took a sabbatical and gave serious effort to learning the trapeze from a troupe of fliers. It may seem like an odd thing for a brilliant scholar to do, but given that his life was in many ways haunted by a struggle for control, it makes perfect sense.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola said that sin is an unwillingness to trust that what God wants is our deepest happiness. Until we are convinced of this, we will seek to control our own lives.

Obedience is a momentary decision, but surrender is the posture of the kingdom.

But surrender is different. Surrender is an open posture of love. Surrender is based not on duty but on trust. It is a free response and attitude that is open to any and all possibilities our Father brings to us.

As Nouwen was hanging in the air, dependent on another, his faith was nourished through the tangible release of control.

If you train your ears and still your heart, you will hear the voice of the Master directing your life. “Hep!” Let go, and surrender to his loving embrace.

When we trust God, we are not surrendering to chaotic forces or blind chance. We are surrendering to love. And that act of surrender allows us to be caught in an embrace that will never let us go.