That we ought to give ourselves up to GOD, with regard both to things temporal and spiritual, and seek our satisfaction only in the fulfilling of His will, whether He lead us by suffering or by consolation, for all would be equal to a soul truly resigned
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes surrendering oneself to God's will, finding contentment in both suffering and comfort.
Brother Lawrence highlights the importance of total surrender to God, suggesting that true fulfillment comes from aligning our desires with His will. Whether we experience adversity or peace, a soul that is genuinely resigned finds equal value in both circumstances, reflecting a deep trust in divine providence.
In practice
In a sermon about faith, one might say, 'As Brother Lawrence reminds us, we ought to give ourselves up to God.'
In order to form a habit of conversing with GOD continually, and referring all we do to Him, we must at first apply to Him with some diligence: but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty.
It is enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God.
A little lifting of the heart suffices; a little remembrance of God, one act of inward worship are prayers which, however short, are nevertheless acceptable to God.
If the vessel of our soul is still tossed with winds and storms, let us awake the Lord, who reposes in it, and He will quickly calm the sea.
We should fix ourselves firmly in the presence of God by conversing all the time with Him...we should feed our soul with a lofty conception of God and from that derive great joy in being his. We should put life in our faith. We should give ourselves utterly to God in pure abandonment, in temporal and spiritual matters alike, and find contentment in the doing of His will,whether he takes us through sufferings or consolations.
And it is not necessary to have great things to do. I turn my little omelette in the pan for the love of God.
Experience teaches us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government's purposes are beneficent.
The world wavered and quivered and threatened to burst into flames.
Eternal life and the invisible world are only to be sought in God. Only within Him do all spirits dwell. He is an abyss of individuality, the only infinite plenitude.
One thing was certain, that the white kitten had had nothing to do with it-- it was the black kitten's fault entirely.
If justice perishes, human life on Earth has lost its meaning.
To the free man, the country is the collection of individuals who compose it, not something over and above them... He recognizes no national goal except as it is the consensus of the goals that the citizens severally serve. He recognizes no national purpose except as it is the consensus of the purposes for which the citizens severally strive.
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