Let us be what God likes, so long as we are His, and let us not be what we want to be, if it is against his intention

Let us be what God likes, so long as we are His, and let us not be what we want to be, if it is against his intention

Saint Francis de Sales was a devout Catholic bishop and theologian who lived in the 16th century. He was known for his gentle and compassionate approach to spirituality, and his teachings continue to inspire people of faith to this day. One of his most famous quotes is, “Let us be what God likes, so long as we are His, and let us not be what we want to be, if it is against his intention.”

This quote encapsulates Saint Francis de Sales’ belief in surrendering oneself completely to God’s will. He believed that true happiness and fulfillment could only be found by aligning oneself with God’s plan for their life. This meant letting go of personal desires and ambitions in favor of following the path that God had laid out for them.

For Saint Francis de Sales, being “what God likes” meant living a life of virtue, humility, and service to others. It meant putting aside selfish desires and ego-driven goals in order to serve God and his people. This was not always easy, as it required a great deal of self-discipline and self-sacrifice. However, Saint Francis de Sales believed that the rewards of living in accordance with God’s will far outweighed any temporary pleasures or successes that one might achieve through their own efforts.

On the other hand, Saint Francis de Sales cautioned against pursuing goals or desires that were contrary to God’s intention. He believed that true happiness could only be found by following God’s plan, and that straying from this path would only lead to emptiness and dissatisfaction. This is why he urged his followers to let go of their own desires and ambitions if they were not in line with God’s will.