In the game of chess, there comes a point when one player realizes that further maneuvers are useless and the game is loss. At this point, if he has any class, the eventual loser “resigns.” It’s an interesting term. It means to give up one’s position or to accept the outcome as inevitable. Brother Lawrence said that perfect resignation to God was a sure way to heaven. Are we perfectly resigned to God. Most of the time I would say, “no.” We are unwilling to acknowledge His inevitable complete triumph. We withhold parts of us. There are areas of our lives which we keep to ourselves in the foolish belief that such reservation is possible. We want to maintain some vestige of control over something.
When we live, as did Brother Lawrence, in constant acknowledgement of the presence of God, the light of God’s presence makes such reservations impossible. If we are always aware of His presence, we are aware that He knows all, including all parts of our lives. That naturally leads to an increasing and, eventually, a perfect resignation to God.
When we are perfect resigned to God, we are in a perfect light which guides our conduct. Nothing stands but God in His perfect presence. As we begin the exercise of His presence we must deliberately be faithful in doing our duty and denying ourselves and then, after a time, unspeakable pleasures followed. This is just another way of saying “take up our cross and follow Christ.” In His presence, we slowly die and, in us, He comes to glorious life.
Nick
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