“There is only one problem on which all my existence, my peace, my happiness depend: to discover myself in discovering God.” – Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation

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Mark 6:4-5

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.

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I think it’s fairly common that people don’t feel worthy enough to speak or act in the name of Jesus.

You hear people say, “I’m no saint.”

Do you realize that every saint was a sinner?

None of us is worthy.

It’s not even about worthiness!

In reality, you and I are worthy because God makes us worthy.

God is calling all of us to be living signs of Christ to the world.

God incarnated in Jesus so that we could see that God is also incarnating in us.

Jesus was not well received in his native place of Nazareth because they knew him for years.

“Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary?” (Mark 6:3)

They “took offense at him” because, I’m sure they were thinking, “Who does he think he is?”

All of us are on an evolutionary journey. (So is the rest of our planet and universe, so we are in good company!)

We are all meant to grow and change.

Usually it takes some hard knocks for us to be open to a conversion.

For me, it took some deep misery over what I was doing with my life before I was able to hear the small, gentle, inner voice of the Spirit redirecting me.

When I started making changes, believe me, I encountered a lot of “Who does he think he is?” reactions!

Remember: You are not here to please others, but to please God.

And when you please God, you are pleasing your true self as well.

God is calling YOU.

Set aside a regular time for contemplative, silent prayer.

Listen.

Allow the inner, gentle voice to speak.

Then – you must take action.

Following Jesus’ example will also be helpful.

Then as Rainer Maria Rilke wrote, “Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”

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Listen to the song of the day “Take the Road Less Traveled” on the Live to Love album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!