There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be

"There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.'" — With these penetrating words, C.S. Lewis lays bare the two paths that lead through life, offering a stark contrast between those who submit to God’s will and those who, in their rebellion or ignorance, demand that the Divine bend to their own desires. The first path is one of humility and surrender, the second of self-will and pride. In this simple yet profound dichotomy, Lewis speaks to the eternal tension between free will and divine sovereignty — a tension that has been the subject of philosophical and spiritual reflection for millennia.

The ancient teachings were filled with this very concept — the tension between human desire and God’s plan. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the people of Israel often found themselves in this conflict, choosing their own desires over the will of God, leading to cycles of suffering and repentance. The prophets, from Isaiah to Jeremiah, called the people to surrender their stubborn wills to God, for it was only in this surrender that true peace could be found. Yet, the people often refused, seeking their own paths, only to find that their way led to destruction. The lesson was clear: the will of God is the path to life, and our human will must be aligned with it if we are to find fulfillment.

This truth is powerfully illustrated in the life of King Saul. Saul, the first king of Israel, was chosen by God to lead His people, yet his heart became hardened by his own desires and pride. Time and again, he chose his own will over God’s commands, and in doing so, he lost the favor of God. His story is a tragic one, for it illustrates the consequences of living in opposition to the divine will. In the end, Saul's life became a warning to future generations about the dangers of saying, "I want it my way," rather than "Thy will be done." God, in His sovereignty, allowed Saul to follow his own desires, and the result was a life filled with turmoil and sorrow.

On the other hand, consider the story of Jesus Christ, who, in the Garden of Gethsemane, exemplified the true meaning of saying "Thy will be done." As He faced the prospect of the cross — the ultimate suffering and humiliation — Jesus, in His humanity, prayed that the cup of suffering might pass from Him. Yet, He surrendered His will, saying, "Not my will, but Yours be done." In this moment, Jesus showed the world that true obedience to God is not a passive acceptance of fate, but an active, conscious decision to align oneself with the Divine will, even when it leads to suffering. Through His sacrifice, Jesus demonstrated the life-giving power that comes from surrendering our will to God’s.

In C.S. Lewis’s words, the second path — where God says, “All right, then, have it your way” — is not a form of divine wrath or punishment but a gift of freedom. God, in His mercy, does not force His will upon us. Instead, He allows us to choose our own way, even if that way leads to destruction. Free will is a powerful gift, but it comes with responsibility. When we choose to live in opposition to God’s will, we are not punished by God, but we reap the consequences of our own choices. In a sense, God’s saying, “Have it your way,” is an act of respect for our freedom. However, this freedom is not without its costs. It leads to separation from the divine, the breaking of the bond between the Creator and His creation.

The lesson here is that life is a choice — we are always faced with the decision to either surrender to the will of God or to follow our own desires. It is a choice that echoes throughout the ages, from the Garden of Eden to the cross of Christ, and into our own lives. When we choose the path of surrender, we choose life, peace, and divine alignment. When we choose to follow our own will, we may gain temporary satisfaction, but we also risk spiritual separation and chaos. The peace that comes from surrendering to God’s will is not passive resignation, but an active trust in the Divine plan.

Therefore, the practical action for us is clear: in every moment, in every decision, we are invited to ask ourselves, “Am I saying Thy will be done?” When faced with challenges, struggles, or desires that conflict with God’s plan, we are called to submit our hearts to Him. Surrender is not a one-time event, but a lifelong practice — a continual process of aligning our will with the will of God. It requires humility, faith, and a willingness to trust in the greater purpose of the Divine. Let us then, like Jesus, say daily, "Not my will, but Yours be done," knowing that in this surrender lies the true peace, the life, and the fulfillment we are all searching for.

Thus, in the wisdom of C.S. Lewis, we are reminded that there are two paths in life: one of surrender to God’s will, and one of self-will that leads to separation. God does not impose His will on us; He simply offers us the choice. It is up to us to choose whether we will say, "Thy will be done," or whether we will turn away and say, "Have it my way." The choice is ours, but the peace that comes with surrender is a gift that transcends all understanding. Let us choose wisely, and walk in the way of obedience, where God's will reigns supreme.