To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Week 3, Day 1 – We Often Complicate What is Very Simple and Fail to Act in God's Way
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The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:14–16
How many times do we seek to accomplish our human goals with our own strength, only to end up defeated in the end? Do we blame God for our failure instead of looking to our own ignorance and arrogance as the cause? There is only one way to live free from fear and worry, full of joy and determination, and fully united to the perfect will of God: we must put on the mind of Christ.
If more Catholic men were willing to surrender to the truth that God’s ways are not ours, we would see greater spiritual renewal within the Church. We rage against what we perceive as God’s lack of concern for our needs, and we fail to see the many blessings he showers upon us. Often the things we complain about the most are God’s greatest blessings in disguise — if only we had eyes to see! If we would only practice gratitude more freely, we would experience greater openness in our lives and see daily miracles of grace unfolding through our works. Today let us stand in awe before the mysterious ways of our Almighty Father and thank him for his perfect, gentle love.
Questions for Reflection
Where are you trying to get God to do things your way? Are you willing to ask him to change your thinking?
How can you become more surrendered to God’s plan for your life?
What is one hidden blessing you can thank God for right now?
Praying with Scripture
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. (Is 55:8)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
