We are remembering St. Seraphim of Sarov, the
Wonder Worker, who was born July 19, 1754, and
died, although yet he is still alive, we know,
in heaven, January 2, 1883. And this day we commemorate
him on the day of his death. prayers of Saint
Seraphim are still of great value to all of us
here this very day. In his life, he lived something
that some of us don't know, and some of us know,
but we can't quite do it. And that is, he knew
that God's plan is always the best plan. and
he knew that God's timing is always the best
timing. And yet, for us in our lives, we can
even acknowledge that and know it in our hearts,
and yet our lives don't match that great life
of St. Seraphim that blessed so many people.
And why is that? Because we trust our own minds.
We think we know better. Sometimes, without even
knowing it, we think we know better than God
knows. God forgive us. Sometimes we trust in
what public opinion is. We want to be popular.
We want to have people like us. And so we make
decisions based on how others will think of us.
And we forget that first part that St. Seraphim
knew. To seek God's will first. Whatever the
case, whenever we do not follow God's plan, how
can it be that we are still surprised when it
doesn't work out right? And yet that can be.
And so as we walk through our lives, let us look
to this wonderful saint, St. Seraphim, who from
his youth chose to follow God's will, sought
after God's will, and through his whole life
followed God's will to the point where he knew
when he was going to die and he was prepared
and he said, let us all be ready for the crowns
we have in heaven and to those that were with
him at the time. and St. Seraphim is the example
for us to follow. Psalm 146 .3 says, Trust not
in princes, nor in sons of men, in whom there
is no salvation. Psalm 118 .8 .9 says, It is
better to trust in the Lord than to trust in
man. It is better to hope in the Lord than to
hope in princes. The words of Saint Tikhon of
Zadonsk. Not all men have the same hope. One
man hopes in princes and in the sons of men.
Another hopes in his wealth. Another hopes in
his honor. Another hopes in his intelligence.
Another hopes in his strength. And another man
hopes in something else. Only true Christians
set their hope on God alone, forsaking everything
else. The latter have true hope, and the former
have false hope, and therefore they have wandered
astray. Let us follow the example of this great
Saint, Saint Seraphim, whose life blessed those
around him. and continues to bless us to this
very day by realizing this lesson and seeking
to live it in our lives, that God's plan is always
the best plan. And let us listen to the Lord
with all of our heart, trusting in his timing,
in his provision, in his protection, and let
us walk forward in faith as this great saint
was an example for us. Glory to Jesus Christ.