Discerning God’s Will

If God is not giving it to us, then no matter hard we try it will be impossible. But, if He is giving it to us, then even if it’s hard, it will be possible with His grace - and good.

Give what? Well, relationships, for one thing - specifically intimate relationships. If it’s not God’s will for me to be with this person it will end in the tomb. But if the relationship is being given to me by God, then, even though it may be challenging, it will lead to glory.

What’s more, the people we choose for ourselves are often preferable to us because of their immediate likeness to us, whereas the people God prefers for us are often unlike us in some way in order to be for us a cross that might lead to our resurrection.

This applies also to work and employment and investments, even leisure. If God is not giving them to us they will not bring us peace. No matter how successful, the man who has only what he wants will find that his heart is still restless and discontent.

We were made for God. And His will is present for us to discern in every situation, even - and perhaps especially - in those little decisions we imagine He cares nothing for. At first this can feel like a burden, a tedious pressure that will paralyze us. But if we learn to seek His will in all things, then in all things we can find joy and contentment.

For example, it may be good to separate from someone I’ve taken to myself if that person is not being given to me by God, just as it is possible to find peace in the harsh conflict of a trying relationship with a person I believe, nevertheless, to be given to me.

And the same is true for my work and leisure. I can have peace in my heart saying no to a job that pays more, or staying back from an event that promises pleasure, if I am always striving to give myself only to what God wants for me.

This is what some call “life in the Spirit,” preferring God’s will and trying to grow in sensitivity to the movements of His Holy Spirit who “leads us into all truth,” as Our Lord says to us in the Gospel today. Into what truth? The truth of our humanity.

If we knew what was best for us, we wouldn’t need a savior to teach us by example - we wouldn’t need Christ. And if we gave ourselves to God’s will naturally, we wouldn’t need the Holy Spirit to guide us after Christ’s returning to the Father.

In any case, the point here is more to say that in God’s will is our peace. And to be happy is to do God’s will. I don’t think it helpful to imagine His will to be a tightrope, from which we must hope never to fall, for we constantly go astray and His mercy meets us where we are, but I do think - and I find time and again - that unless God is giving me this person, this employment, or this lifestyle, then, no matter how hard I try, it will be impossible and unfulfilling. But, again, if I discern that God is giving it to me then, even if it is hard, it will be possible with His grace - and something I will ultimately call good. +