“Try to keep your soul always in peace and quiet, always ready for whatever our Lord may wish to work in you. It is certainly a higher virtue of the soul, and a greater grace, to be able to enjoy the Lord in different times and different places than in only one.”

St Ignatius of Loyola

It’s two o’clock in the morning.  From a drowsy sleep, a mother wakes at the cry of her infant.  Without a thought of reasoning, she knows exactly what she needs to do. No matter how tired she is, she is available to her infant child.

What about us when it comes to our relationship with God? Are we available? Are we available to allow God to work in us and through us?

St. Ignatius said that if you “keep your soul always in peace and quiet” the Lord will work in you.  It doesn’t matter, when, where or how but He will work in you. 

Why? 

Because you are available.

We will here his small voice at two in the morning.  We will see the deep wounds of a brother or sister.  We will lift our eyes and our hearts to Heaven and see God reaching out His hands as we kneel in our deepest despairing moments.

Lately I’ve been reflecting a lot on what it means to be available. When my mind is cluttered, my imagination runs wild on what can happen, what someone thinks about me, or what I’m going to do when X happens. I am furthest away from being available. I have absolutely no peace and my heart and mind are definitely not quiet. In that state, how in the world could I ever hear God calling me to sit with Him; to wait and answer the call when a friend needs a listening ear; to recognize my friends Facebook posts have changed completely and she is in despair needing a hand to reach out and embrace her; or hear a voice telling me to take the difficult path producing luscious fruit?

When we are available, our senses are heightened. We more easily recognize God’s will for us, discerning and accepting exactly where He wants us to be.

Discerning God’s will is a process and can be very difficult at times. For example, let’s say there are two options placed before us. Both are awesome choices but one will give more glory to God. St. Ignatius called this Magis. It is the choice that most likely leads us to the purpose we were created for.

How do we know which will glorify God more?  First, we have to be available to God.  We have to be in a state of peace and quiet. Then we have to surrender and be indifferent to either choice while contemplating both. God will speak in the stillness or our hearts. The choice that brings more peace is most likely the one that glorifies God the most.

God is calling us in every minute of our lives to enjoy all He has for us.  Are you going to be available?  Even if it’s at two o’clock in the morning? 

Categories: Discernment, Faith

Tags: #availability, #Catholic, #Christian, #discernment, #god, #godsplan, #godswill, #grace, #joy, #life, #peace, #prayer, #surrender, Faith, Jesus, Love, Trust