In perfect conformity

This week I had the great joy of reading St. Alphonsus Liguori for my Mystical Theology class. At this point in our life, Andrew and myself are making some bigger decisions and I often worry about whether or not we are following God's will in the true sense of the phrase; not what we think or want God's will to be for us, but that we truly yearn to be in the very center of the Divine Will in every decision we make. St. Alphonsus offers some simple and beautiful encouragement on this point:

"Our whole perfection consists in loving God who is so deserving of our love. And so the more closely the will of an individual is united to the divine will, the greater will be that person's love. Those who love God are always content because all their pleasure lies in fulfilling God's will even in difficult circumstances, with the result that their very troubles are turned into delight at the thought that they give pleasure to their beloved Lord by accepting them. This is the wonderful peace which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7), all the pleasures of the senses and all other worldly gratifications, which, because they are without depth and are transitory, allure our senses for a passing moment but do not satisfy the spirit in which alone real happiness can dwell. Some people want to serve God, but they set conditions about the employment, the place, the companions. If their expectations are not met, they work with an ill-will of give up altogether. People like that lack inner freedom, and, since they are slaves of self-love, they gain little from what they do. The devout, those who follow the will of God are like the sun, always radiant with serenity no matter what happens because their happiness is in thief conformity to the will of God. And so they possess unalterable peace."

Are we to be joyful in our circumstances no matter how unpleasant? Of course.

"When you feel troubled by some negative experience, remember that it comes from God. Say to yourself immediately, "This is God's will" and then be at peace. It is true, as I have said, that when someone unjustly offends you, God does not will that person's sin nor share in the malice; but it is also true that God is at work through the act by which you are persecuted or robbed or injured. In this particular sense your suffering is in accordance with the will of God and comes to you from his hands. Chastisements, do not come from God for our ruin but rather so that we might change our ways and be saved. Confident of this, we should abandon ourselves to God's will, which is always for our good. Let us then place ourselves in his hands, for he will surely take care of us. My Beloved thinks of my good and I will think of nothing but of pleasing Him and of uniting myself to His will in all things."

I'm thankful for the saints who provide us with endless wisdom for all facets of life. Lord, we desire to always do Your will, for we trust that you know our needs and desires even before we know them.