What Does “Thy Will Be Done” Really Mean? (A Silly Question)

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Reflections

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Posted On July 21, 2023

During my college years, my friends and I often engaged in arm-wrestling contests. We’d gather around as two competitors squared off, gripping each other’s hands and vying to pin their opponent’s arm to the table.

Arm-wrestling was a display of strength—a way to assert our masculinity and determine who was in charge.

I used to think following God’s will was like arm-wrestling. I’d recite “Thy will be done” while saying the Our Father, but deep down, I just wanted God to give me what I wanted.

This desire for control created a power struggle. I mistakenly believed that if I fought hard enough and prayed long enough, I’d come out victorious.

One day, my spiritual director posed this thought-provoking question:

“What’s the difference between arm-wrestling and following God’s will?”

I stared back, unsure of the answer.

“In arm-wrestling, one person triumphs over the other, resulting in a clear winner and loser. But with God, it’s different. God wants our happiness. Like a loving parent, the Creator yearns to guide us toward what’s most life-giving. God see the big picture of our lives and comprehends what’s best for us. When we discover and embrace the Divine Will, our life unfolds in magical, wondrous ways.”

“So, following God’s will is a win-win,” I replied. “The Divine Parent rejoices in witnessing our joy. We experience peace, contentment, and a deeper connection with God and our True Self as we follow the path the Creator unfolds for us.”

“Yes!” My spiritual director smiled. “What if instead of an arm-wrestling match, we imagine following God’s desires as a slow, harmonious dance?”

“I’m not sure I understand,” I admitted.

“When two people engage in a slow dance, one person leads while the other follows. Without this synchronization, they’d stumble over each other’s feet. Allowing your dance partner to take the lead as you follow their movements is an elegant surrendering of control. It involves trusting their guidance—letting them establish the pace and direction of the dance. By maintaining a gentle connection and responding to their lead with sensitivity and fluidity, the dancers create a natural flow of beauty and grace. It’s as if the two become one.”

Suddenly it made sense. “I get it! God’s my dance partner. The Creator understands me and my life far better than I do. Letting God lead by aligning my will with God’s enables us to dance through life as one—two joyful partners co-creating more love in the world.”

A puzzled look then flooded my face. “But, how do we know God’s will and follow it?”

My teacher replied by offering a smorgasbord of tools we can put into our spiritual toolboxes to aid in seeking and following God’s will:

Create a Daily Rhythm of Prayer or Meditation

Establish a regular daily practice of prayer and meditation to quiet your mind, open your heart, and connect with the Divine. Ask God to show you the Divine Will and to give you the grace to follow it.

Read Spiritual Books

Explore and delve into the bible and other spiritual books. Seek wisdom, guidance, and inspiration from these texts, as they often have teachings and principles that help us understand God’s desires for us.

Seek Spiritual Community

Engage with a supportive spiritual community and seek guidance from trusted spiritual leaders or mentors. They can provide insight, wisdom, and different perspectives that may help you in your quest to discover God’s will.

Reflect on Your Passions and Gift

Take a spiritual gifts inventory to discover your unique talents, passions, and gifts. Consider how they align with your deepest desires and how you can use them to serve others and contribute positively to the world. Often, God’s will can be discovered at the intersection of your abilities and the needs of those around you.

Listen to Your Inner Voice

Pay attention to your intuition. Sometimes, a sense of calling or direction may arise from within. Trusting and following your inner voice of love can bring you closer to God’s will.

Practice Discernment

Discernment is our effort with God’s grace to determine the movement and invitations from God in our lives. Since God is love, following the Spirit’s movement will result in pouring more love into ourselves and the world. Engage in discernment practices that involve seeking clarity through reflection and journaling as well as consulting with wise counsel.

Be Open and Patient

Discovering God’s will is a gradual and ongoing process. Be open to unexpected opportunities, challenges, and redirections along the way. Practice patience, trust in Divine timing, and remain receptive to the signs and guidance that may unfold in your life. If you’re unsure whether you’re on the right path or think you may have strayed from God’s will, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you back. Seek input from wise counsel to gain insight and help identify any blind spots you may have developed.

It’s a Lifelong Journey

Seeking and following God’s will is a personal, lifelong journey. It takes time and a deep desire to become aware of the God-nudges in our lives so we can follow Divine guidance. Trust in your relationship with the Creator, remain open to growth, and have faith that the path will become clearer as you deepen your connection with God through daily spiritual practices.

A Blessing For You…I Hope You Dance

May your life be a Divine Dance with the Creator.

May you discern and follow your Dance Partner’s lead as together you co-create a world over-pouring with love.

May you offer God a grace-filled bow whenever you experience the joy of “Thy Will” being done in and through you.

—brian j. plachta
brianplachta.com

Written by Brian J. Plachta

Following the Breadcrumbs God Leaves Along Our Path

What if God is speaking through ordinary moments more often than we realize?

A conversation that stays with us. A door that closes. A quiet nudge we can’t quite explain. An unexpected invitation that seems to come at just the right time.

The challenge is learning to notice these moments before we have any idea where they’re leading, and trusting the next step.

Over time, we may begin to see that God’s guidance doesn’t always come as an answer. Sometimes, it comes as a trail.

What to Do When God Seems Silent

Has silence ever made you feel like God is far away? When we feel this way, it’s easy to start looking for answers or waiting for a clear sign. But prayer can also be as simple as slowing down and noticing what’s already here. The breeze. The waves. Your breath. The quiet. God’s presence doesn’t always come through words. Sometimes we just need to be still enough to notice.

Let God Alone Define You

Ever have someone’s words get stuck in your head?
Maybe they criticized you, misunderstood you, or told a story about you that doesn’t feel true. And before long, you’re holding a courtroom in your mind—defending yourself, replaying the conversation, wondering if maybe they’re right.

There’s another way.

Bring it into the quiet with God.

Ask: Is there something here I need to learn? Is there something I need to own? And what was never mine to carry in the first place?

We can stay humble enough to receive the truth without letting someone else’s opinion become our identity.

Because in the end, God alone defines you.

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