The moment I realized God existed, I knew that I could not do othewise than to live for Him Alone...Faith strips the mask from the world and renders meaningless such words as anxiety, danger and fear, so the believer goes through life calmly and peacefully, with profound joy--like a child, hand and hand with his mother.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the deep sense of peace and joy that comes from faith in God, transcending fears and anxieties.
Charles De Foucauld's quote expresses a transformative realization of God's existence, which leads to a life devoted solely to Him. This faith provides a powerful shield against the worries of the world, allowing believers to navigate life with a childlike innocence and joy, unburdened by fear and anxiety, like a child walking hand in hand with a caring mother.
In practice
In a sermon about overcoming life's challenges, one might use this quote to inspire and comfort the congregation.
To love anyone is to hope in him for always. From the moment at which we begin to judge anyone, to limit our confidence in him, from the moment at which we identify him with what we know of him and so reduce him to that, we cease to love him and he ceases to be able to be better.
It is not necessary to teach others, to cure them or to improve them; it is only necessary to live among them, sharing the human condition and being present to them in love.
The greatest act of faith is that which rises to your lips in total darkness together with the sacrifices, sufferings and wholehearted efforts of a determined will to do good. This act of faith strikes through the darkness of your soul like lightening. In the midst of tempest it raises you up and leads you to God.
The only saving faith is that which casts itself on God for life or death.
Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.
Let us put our hands today again at (God's) disposition and pray that he takes our hands to guide us. Let his hand take ours so we won't sink, but will serve life which is stronger than death, and love which is stronger than hatred.
And although I see few results, future missionaries will see conversions following every sermon. May they not forget the pioneers who worked in the thick gloom with few rays to cheer, except such as flow from faith in the precious promises of God's Word.
I was once young and now I am old, but not once have I been witness to God's failure to supply my need when first I had given for the furtherance of His work. He has never failed in His promise, so I cannot fail in my service to Him.
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