There are so many voices clamoring to be heard So many voices claiming to have the answers So many voices casting blame But there is one voice I long to hear The voice that speaks truth The voice that reminds me who I am The voice that leads me home It is only when I turn down the noise That I can hear this voice It is only when I hear this voice That I can know and play my part
It’s been a chaotic few weeks in the midst of this new administration. How are you feeling? What do you notice in your body? What thoughts are swirling in your mind?
I’m very aware of the tension in my shoulders, the knot in my chest, and the anxious thoughts circling in my head. I grieve for my immigrant friends and neighbors who are living in fear. I’m troubled by the flippant way that plans are being made to discard human beings and take away support from those who need it most. I’m frightened by the amount of power that one man can hold and the looming impacts that it can have on the world when wielded irresponsibly. I’m wrestling with the desire to do something and the feeling of helplessness.
A couple nights ago, I was searching for something to help calm my anxious mind so I could sleep, and I reached for a book called Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace by Kent Nerburn. I came across this book at a used bookstore sometime last year. It’s based on the prayer by Saint Francis - a prayer that I love. The book has been sitting on my shelf since I bought it, but it called to me in this moment. Nerburn goes through each line of Saint Francis’ prayer and draws out the richness of his words that speak profound truth across generations and feel especially poignant today.
When Francis calls us to pray to be instruments of God’s peace, he is reminding us to honor our own part in the music of creation, no matter how humble or great…if we humbly accept our part as a gift and play it well, we will have done our small part to help create the symphony of God’s voice.
In the times when we feel helpless to combat the deep injustice of the world, we need this reminder that we each have a unique part to play. My part won’t be the same as your part. It may feel small and insignificant at times. But just like each note is needed to create a beautiful symphony, each act that is rooted in love and authenticity is necessary to cultivate peace in a broken world.
I invite you to spend some time with the prayer of Saint Francis, and I hope that it speaks to your soul…
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love, Where there is injury let me sow pardon, Where there is doubt, faith, Where there is despair, hope, Where there is darkness, light, And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, Grant that I may not seek so much to be consoled as to console, To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, It is in forgiving that we are forgiven, And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.