Aligning with God’s Will
August 12th
The cross which people bear consists of a larger vertical section representing the will of God and a smaller horizontal section representing their own will. If we were to bring our will in line with the will of God the cross would disappear.
Tolstoy
In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
John 16:23
Fate crushes us in two ways: by refusing us our wishes, and by granting them. But only those people whose wishes coincide with God’s wishes for them will avoid both calamities. Everything becomes transformed into his blessing.
Amiel, PJ
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28–30
The merging of our will with that of God means not only that we are freed from disasters and given peace, but that this is the only way we can become aware of God and can believe in immortality.
Tolstoy
These quotes offer wisdom on aligning our will with God's and finding peace and fulfillment through that alignment. Here are some ways to apply these insights wisely:
1. Seeking Guidance and Peace: Embrace the invitation from Matthew 11:28-30 to come to Jesus with your burdens. This means actively seeking spiritual rest and relief by surrendering your struggles and worries to Him.
2. Aligning Your Will with God's Will: Recognize the significance of aligning your will with God's will, as Tolstoy describes with the concept of the cross. This alignment leads to greater harmony and purpose in life, reducing internal conflicts and bringing clarity.
3. Prayer and Trust: John 16:23 encourages us to pray in Jesus' name with faith that God will answer. Applying this means cultivating a prayerful life where you consistently seek God's will and trust His responses, knowing that He desires your good and knows what is best for us.
4. Transforming Challenges: Understand Amiel's idea that fate can both deny and grant your wishes, but alignment with God's will transforms these experiences into blessings. This perspective helps you navigate life's challenges with trust and resilience, knowing that even difficulties can be part of God's plan for your growth and fulfillment.
I invite you to reflect today on these ideas. Ask yourself: How do I approach moments of struggle and burden in my life? Am I consistently seeking spiritual rest and guidance from Jesus, as described in Matthew 11:28-30? In what ways can I perceive my will aligning with God's will? What practices or attitudes help me surrender my desires and intentions to God, as illustrated by Tolstoy's concept of the cross? How does my prayer life reflect trust in God's promises, particularly in asking according to His will, as emphasized in John 16:23? What steps can I take to deepen my prayer life and cultivate greater trust in God's responses?
SDG
-Ryan Parmenter