Les Misérables: Practiced Surrender - Wesleyan (1 Peter 5:7)

In Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, we meet Jean Valjean, a man whose life is a tapestry woven with the threads of suffering, redemption, and grace. Imagine the dark, damp prison cell where he spent nineteen years, the cold stone walls a constant reminder of his past mistakes. The weight of guilt bore down on him, much like the anxieties that often suffocate our souls. But as Valjean emerges from those shadows, it is a bishop's simple act of love—a silver candlestick gifted to him—that ignites a spark of hope, teaching him that grace is not merely a concept but an active experience.

This is where Valjean begins to practice the art of surrender. Each time he feels the creeping anxiety of his past returning, he recalls that moment of grace, and he chooses to cast those burdens away. In the Wesleyan tradition, we understand that this casting is not a one-time event; it’s a daily discipline, like the rhythmic waves of the sea that continually wash upon the shore. Valjean’s journey reflects our own.

Picture him walking through the bustling streets of Paris, the scent of freshly baked bread mingling with the cries of street vendors. Each encounter presents him with the opportunity to release his fears and trust in God’s unfailing love. As he prays, he casts not just for himself but for others too, lifting their worries as if they were his own. The scripture from 1 Peter 5:7 invites us to "cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."

What if we embraced this practice? With each prayer, we become like Valjean, letting go of our burdens and experiencing the weight of His grace. The more we practice this surrender, the deeper our trust grows, transforming our anxiety into peace. Friends, let us step into the river of grace, learning to release and to trust, for He truly cares for you.