To the Ends of the Earth: Witness – Week 1, Day 5 – We Must Leave the Safety of Childhood in Order to Assume Our Role as Godly Men
To the Ends of the Earth: Legacy – Week 1, Day 5 – We Have No Cause for Worry
Photo by Xan Griffin on Unsplash
And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O men of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be of anxious mind. For all the nations of the world seek these things; and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things shall be yours as well.”
Luke 12:22–31
We need never worry about tomorrow. All the concerns of life, important as they are, are under God’s care and control. God wants to give us what we need, and he always gives it to us joyfully. Even in the midst of our deepest trials, he is there, loving us and providing the strength we need to see the journey through to the end. For our part, he asks only that we trust him for all our needs. We can bring him every pain and sorrow and celebrate every joy with him.
Often we shape our plans around our security and our happiness, forgetting that we have no real control over our future. God, however, has our very lives in his hand. In Christ, we can live free from the cares and concerns about what is to come. By yielding to God’s care, we can accomplish great things for the kingdom of God. There is no need God cannot meet and no situation he cannot work according to his will for those who seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.
Questions for reflection
When has God taken your anxiety and worry and brought you comfort and peace?
What are some earthly treasures you might be holding a little too close to your heart?
What can you do to allow God’s will to unfold more freely in your life and the lives of those you meet?
Praying with Scripture
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE
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About the Author
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.
