God will eventually test you in all areas of your life, but He will not let your trials become greater than you can bear. Let God use trials to help you grow. Do not try to measure your progress, your strength, or what God is doing. His work is not less efficient because what He is doing is invisible. Much of God’s work is done in secret because you would not die to yourself if He always visibly stretched out His hand to save you. God does not transform you on a bed of light, life, and grace. His transformation is done on the cross in darkness, poverty, and death.
What valid questions do you have about the truth of Christianity? You really fear having to submit to someone beside yourself. You also fear having to walk the difficult road toward becoming conformed to the image of Christ. You see clearly the sacrifices you will have to make to follow Christ completely and you are shrinking back.
Christ did not say, “If anyone will come after me, let him enjoy himself, let him be gorgeously dressed, let him be drunk with delight.” He never even said, “Be glad that you are per-fect and that you can see how well you are doing.” No, Jesus said, “If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” His path winds up the side of a steep mountain where death will be present on every hand.(See Matthew 16:24.)
You do not yet see the lovely side of following Christ. You see what He takes away, but you do not see what He gives. You exaggerate the sacrifices and ignore the blessings.
Paul tells you that you desire to be clothed, but it is nec-essary that you be stripped before you can put on Christ. Allow Him to strip your self-love of every covering so that you might receive the white robe washed in the blood of the Lamb. You need only His purity.
Listen to what I have to say. It is not easy to hear, but it will feed your spirit. Do not listen to the voice that suggests that you live for yourself. The voice of self-love is even more powerful than the voice of the serpent. If the world never asked for anything more than what you could give out of love, wouldn’t it be a better master?
Christ leaves no emptiness within you. You will be led to do things which you will find enjoyable, and you will like them better than doing all the things which have led you astray. How happy you will be when you do not possess any-thing of your own but give yourself completely to your Lord. Bride of Jesus, how beautiful you are when you no longer have anything of your own, but seek only His beauty. You will then be the delight of your Bridegroom, and He will be all your beauty! He will love you without measure. He will put His own life in you. - François de Fénelon
François de Fénelon (1651–1715) was a French pastor, teacher, and spiritual writer whose life and words invite believers into a deeper, quieter walk with God. As Archbishop of Cambrai and a trusted mentor to young leaders, Fénelon was known for his gentle wisdom, pastoral heart, and deep commitment to spiritual formation. His Spiritual Letters continue to guide readers toward a life of prayer shaped by attentiveness, obedience, and inward renewal.
The daily devotional readings shared during our consecration are drawn primarily from 100 Days in the Secret Place, compiled by Gene Edwards, and a select number of other rich essays and writings. These excerpts are shared for devotional and discipleship purposes, with gratitude for the rich spiritual heritage preserved in the work. We encourage anyone who is helped by these readings to explore the full book for deeper reflection.