"My word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it."

Isaiah 55:11

Time and time again I have been inspired by the lives of saints and holy women and men. Their desire to do God’s will and live according to his word, regardless of the consequences, so inspires me. I am moved by the fact that not to do his will, even for a second, could be such a grave offense to them. All they wanted to do was become God’s saint and the saddest thing in life would be for them not to become one.

What makes you sad? Does it make you sad that your will is not being done? Are you disappointed that your wishes, desires, plans and schemes are not coming to fruition? Or, are you sad because God’s will is not being done in your life? As you know, our will and God’s will are often oceans apart.

Think of it in this way. At the foundational level, there are two people involved- you and God. One of those people needs to change and the other has no need of change. Guess who does not need to change? Yes, you are correct in saying that God does not need to change for he is perfect! He has got it all together! You, who are imperfect, need to change into God who is perfect.

The Lord God says that his word shall not return to him void but shall do his will and achieve the end for which he sent it. Yes, God’s word is the opposite of void. It is infinitely full of meaning, purpose, hope and life. And the meaning and purpose and hope and life of God’s word is to make us his saints. So, from the one who never needs to change, we know that his word is never void. But, we can make it void by our refusal to accept it and make it the captain of our souls. Then, we miss out on any meaning, purpose and hope in our very temporary stay on earth.

What is the saddest thing for you in life? For the Christian, it is not to become a saint.

Let us pray for God’s will to be done in us, “God, may your word not be void in my life by my refusal of you. May your word, rich as it is, dwell in my heart and lead me to the fullness of life and meaning. I know I need to change and you have no need to change. Change me. Change me into you. Make me your saint. I trust in your word to accomplish the purpose for which it was sent. Thank you, Lord God. Amen.”

God’s will!
+Fr. John