Just in Case

As we pray deeply in the John Wesley Covenant Prayer, we come to that line which could be called the "Just in case I missed something" part of the prayer.  As we pray this prayer which brings to mind so many of the specifics of life, we come to this word which is like a waterfront word.  The word of the prayer which takes away the possibility that we missed something, or that some part of our life has been managed to keep out of the scope of the prayer is this line which says, "I freely and heartily yield all things to Thy pleasure and disposal."   

Make no mistake.  This is a prayer of total capitulation.  It is the prayer of absolute abandonment.  It is a prayer empty of reservations and stipulations.  Praying this prayer seriously is not an either or moment in our spiritual life.  It is our declaration of a faith leap over the cliff.  Perhaps, Christ will catch us, or perhaps, He will choose not to catch us.  What happens once the leap of faith is taken is entirely up to Him.  Whatever He wills to do, it is good.  As we choose to live a life of this kind of radical faith, we are counting nothing in our life more valuable than our faith in Him.  

We leap trusting His whatsoever.   The  Wesley Covenant Prayer is like a marriage.  It is our choosing to step into a covenant and it is not to be taken lightly, but reverently and in the fear of God.  We may not make this covenant in the presence of a congregation, though many of us do, but we do make it in the presence of God who not only hears our words, but writes them in His heart as our promise to Him.