If this life is not an imitation of His, it is not good.

Now, until God grants us goodness in heaven, engage in the practice of the virtues of mortification and patience, striving to become in suffering a little like our great God, humbled and crucified; for if this life is not an imitation of Him, it is not good.

(John of the Cross, letter to Mother Anne of Jesus, July 6, 1591)