A SHORT METHOD FOR KNOWING GOD’S WILL
St. Basil said that the will of God is made known to us by his ordinances or commandments. There is nothing to discuss about it. For we must simply do what is commanded. As regards all the rest, it is our freedom to choose as we like what seems good to us. However, it is not necessary to do all that is permissible but only what is suitable. Finally to discern well what is appropriate to us, it is necessary to consult a wise spiritual guide.
Theotimus, I wish to warn you of a troublesome temptation. Often it happens to those persons who have a great desire to follow in all matters what is most according to God’s will. The devil puts them in doubt at every instance whether it is the will of God that they do one thing rather than another. For example, is it God’s will that they eat with their friend or not? Should they wear a grey or black dress? Which day should they fast, Friday or Saturday? Are they to go for recreation or abstain from it? They waste much time on such thoughts. While they anxiously occupy themselves with discerning what is better, they lose uselessly the opportunity to do much good. To do them would give great glory to God than discerning between the good and the better for which they wasted their time.
We are not accustomed to weigh the petty coins but only valuable pieces. Business transactions would be very troublesome and take much time if we have to weigh a pence, a half pence a farthing and a half farthing. Similarly we are not to weigh all kinds of small actions to know whether they are better than others. Often there is also some superstition in wishing to make this examination. What purpose does it serve to put oneself in difficulty to know whether it is better to hear mass in one church rather than in another? It is not serving a master well by spending much time reflecting on what should be done rather than doing what is needed. We are to proportion our attention according to the importance of what we undertake. It would be a disorder to take much trouble to deliberate on a day’s journey as for that of a journey of three or four hundred leagues[1].
The choice of one’s vocation, a project of some great importance, some work that takes long time, or some great expense, change of residence, the choice of the society of friends and similar matters deserve our serious reflection. We have to discern what is more according to God’s will. But in little daily actions in which even a mistake is neither serious nor irreparable what need is there for being too preoccupied, pay too much attention to them and disturb others with unnecessary consultations? What purpose does it serve to spend time to learn if God is pleased that I say the rosary or the office of our Lady? There is not much difference between the two to deserve such a great inquiry. What does it matter whether I go to the hospital to visit the sick than to vespers? That I go to listen to a homily rather than to a church to gain indulgence? Usually there is nothing apparently noticeable in one rather than in the other to make us enter into great reflections. We must walk in good faith without subtlety in such instances. As St. Basil says, do freely what seems good to us in order not to weary our spirit, not to lose time, not to put ourselves in the danger of anxiety, scruples and superstitions. I understand always that there is no great disparity between one work and the other. There are no important circumstances on one side or the other.
Even in matters of importance, we must be very humble. We are not to think at all that we can discern the will of God by investigation and subtle discussions. After praying for the light of the Holy Spirit we must concentrate on our reflections to search for his good pleasure. We must seek the advice of our spiritual guide. If there is an option we may consult two or three spiritual persons. We must resolve and decide in the name of God. Soon after we should not call in doubt our choice. Instead, we must cherish it and support it devoutly, peacefully and steadily. The difficulties, the temptations, and the variety of events that we encounter in the execution of our project may create some hesitation as to whether we have made the right choice. However, we should remain strong and should not look at those things. Hence think that if we had made another choice we would have found ourselves a hundred times worse. Moreover, we do not know whether God wants us to experience consolation or trials, peace or war. Since the decision was taken holily, we are not to doubt about the holiness of its execution. As long as it does not depend on us, it cannot fail. To do otherwise is a great sign of selfish love or childishness, weakness or silliness of spirit.
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[1] In St Francis de Sales’ days such a journey took several days.
END OF BOOK EIGHT