They are four simple words, “Thy will be done.” It’s a phrase easy to say, but it proves hard to live. On the mountain top, it’s easier to trust God’s love. It seems that you can see forever. Walking in the messy, dark valleys of our days, it proves much harder. Even Elijah almost gave up when his life was at risk. So, is it really a surprise that we who are not great prophets can struggle?
No, God understands our weakness, but more than that, God loves us. As a favorite song of mine says, God can’t love us more than God loves us right now. We are promised God’s will is for our ultimate good. Can we hold on? In our day, can we see signs, no matter how small, to help sustain us? God’s Spirit groans in prayer for us with words we can’t seem to say. Angels might be ministering to us in ways we can’t detect. The laughter of a child or smile of a friend can bring us joy. The songs of birds at the sunrise invite our own hearts to sing in praise.
“Thy will be done” is often rightly said in the acceptance of suffering as Jesus did before he was crucified. Yet, never forget that God’s ultimate will is to love us forever. Pain passes and even death has no power over us. So, maybe…just maybe… “Thy will be done” should be said with hope, although we might still say it through tears.
As we accept our crosses, real or imagined, remember the resurrection that we will be part of someday. As Paul rights, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). We are loved and chosen. We will never be forgotten or cast away by God even when it seems the world might give up on us or want to cast us aside. In fact, Jesus promises he’s here with us always to the end of the world.
Amidst any suffering, accident or betrayal, whatever happens or fails to occur like we wish, Jesus, too, is here with us; calling us to accept our cross, pick it up and walk in faith. All is well even when life’s seemingly unfair.
© 2025 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author. Scripture passages are from the NRSVue translation unless otherwise noted.
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