Scripture:
Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16
Matthew 7:21-29
Reflection:
And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.
As a people of God, we are given specific gifts that we should use for the continuation of God’s kingdom on earth. But, we must “walk the walk”, if we choose to “talk the talk.” Sharing the word of God but not doing His will, using the name of Jesus but not establishing a relationship with the Lord, witnessing our faith experiences in one breath, and hitting a low point in our lives and then doubting God’s existence just won’t cut it with the Lord – we have to be all in.
We need to be in the habit of practicing what we preach, living what we believe, and standing strong in our faith, to be His legacy – His presence in this world, rather than our own. There is a song by a contemporary Christian music group called Casting Crowns that says, “I don’t want to leave a legacy; I don’t care if they remember me – only Jesus.”
We have to realize that our security in this life isn’t a product of what WE have accomplished on this earth because, honestly, without Him, we are nothing. We can be firmly planted in Him – he alone is our rock. And no matter how great your marriage is, how talented your kids are, or how awesome your job is, it isn’t what you made of it on your own, but what God bestowed upon you for your complete joy. He loves us that much.
Patty Masson is the Pastoral Associate at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.