The Sight of Our Imperfections Should Not Take Away Our Peace.
The sight of our imperfections should not take away our peace, but rather lead us to a deeper trust in God's presence and peace.
Francois Fenelon emphasizes the importance of not letting the sight of our imperfections steal our peace. He reveals the hidden self-love that often lurks behind our desire for God's glory, urging us to surrender our will to God's and find peace in all circumstances. Fenelon encourages us to approach our imperfections without justification or condemnation, but to lay them before God and trust in His plan, reminding us that peace is God's design for every situation, even in the midst of suffering and repentance.
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LETTER XI.
The sight of our imperfections should not take away our peace.
There is something very hidden and very deceptive in your suffering; for while you seem to yourself to be wholly occupied with the glory of God, in your inmost soul it is self alone that occasions all your trouble. You are, indeed, desirous that God should be glorified, but that it should take place by means of your perfection, and you thus cherish the sentiments of self-love. It is simply a refined pretext for dwelling in self. If you would truly derive profit from the discovery of your imperfections, neither justify nor condemn on their account, but quietly lay them before God, conforming your will to his in all things that you cannot understand, and remaining at peace; for peace is the order of God for every condition whatever. There is, in fact, a peace of conscience which sinners themselves should enjoy when awakened to repentance. Their suffering should be peaceful and mingled with consolation. Remember the beautiful word which once delighted you, that the Lord was not in noise and confusion, but in the still, small voice. (I Kings, xix. 11.)
Sermon Outline
- The Hidden Nature of Suffering
- Our suffering may seem to be about God's glory, but it's often rooted in self-love
- We justify or condemn ourselves based on our imperfections, rather than seeking God's peace
Key Quotes
“There is something very hidden and very deceptive in your suffering; for while you seem to yourself to be wholly occupied with the glory of God, in your inmost soul it is self alone that occasions all your trouble.” — Francois Fenelon
“Peace is the order of God for every condition whatever.” — Francois Fenelon
“The Lord was not in noise and confusion, but in the still, small voice.” — Francois Fenelon
Application Points
- When recognizing your imperfections, seek to quietly lay them before God and conform your will to His, rather than justifying or condemning yourself.
- Remember that peace is the order of God for every condition, and strive to maintain peace in the midst of suffering.
- Seek to find God's presence in quiet reflection and stillness, rather than in noise and confusion.