“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the
whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and
the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him
and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from
any one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. As
some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” (Acts 17:26-
28, NIV)
Over a century after de Sales wrote The Introduction to the Devout Life,
William Law wrote A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life. Both called
Christians to distinguish themselves from superficial, shallow
expressions of the faith. In Law’s time, the church was in a state of
mediocrity, its members caught in dull spiritual living. It was a lethargic
spiritual age in which Law’s call was deeply needed. With de Sales, he
emphasized discipline and devotion.
“Devotion is neither private nor public prayer; prayers, whether
private or public, are particular parts or instances of devotion.
Devotion signifies a life given or diverted to God. He is the devout
man who lives no longer to his own will or the way and spirit of the
world but to the sole will of God; who considers God in everything,
makes all parts of his common life parts of piety by doing everything
in the name of God under such rules as conform to His glory.”
Because of the raging coronavirus threatening people worldwide,
I’m writing this “locked down,” in voluntary quarantine with my wife.
People are asking, “Where is God in all of this?” It seems easier for
people to deal with natural disasters like hurricanes than with this kind
of mysterious invasion. Yet in relation to the virus, many Christians
quickly and easily affirm an unexamined determinism: “Well, this is
God’s will.” There is too much at stake to settle there. Such a response
raises too many questions about the nature of God and violates the
core witness of Scripture that God is love. As Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
God’s goodness and love are limitless. It is beyond God’s nature
to will for us even a single moment of pain and hurt. We can live with
the mystery of evil and pain if we keep solidly in our minds and hearts
that everything that happens is not the will of God, but that God has
a will in everything that happens. Law put it this way: “Sickness and
health, prosperity and adversity, bless and purify such a soul in the
same degree. For he who seeks God in everything is sure to find God
in everything.”
In The Joy of the Saints edited by Robert Llewelyn16 it is contended
that the primary secret of joy is, “a heart wide open to God and
stripped of all desire for self-gratification.” This harmonizes with
Law’s contention that the devout person is centered in God. It is the
state of our will that makes the state of our life; when we receive
everything from God, everything does us the same good and helps us
to the same degree of happiness. Everything can and is used by God
for our well-being.
Moment of Reflection: Have you found that your will makes the state
of your life?
Prayer: Loving God, enable me to seek you in all things, trusting that
I will find you in everything. Amen.
Saints Alive! is available in both print and Kindle format by clicking HERE