feelings of inadequacy?
"What good is that for so many?" —John 6:9
The world, the flesh, and the devil — the three traditional enemies of Christians — try to brainwash us into trivializing our lives. Our enemies want us to believe that it doesn't matter how we spend our time, energies, thoughts, money, or lives.
One technique often used to make us think our lives are meaningless is to show us our inadequacy. Satan shows us the immensity of our culture of death — mass abortions, gross injustices, millions starving, and centuries of violent oppression and unforgiveness. Under these conditions, we feel inadequate as if our lives only are "drops in the bucket" (see Is 40:15). We are tempted to think that giving our lives or wasting our lives has about the same effect.
However, Jesus, the Truth (Jn 14:6), denies the lies regarding our inadequacy. He promises to multiply lives totally given to Him (see Jn 6:8ff). Then our lives will feed and free the masses. Jesus makes our lives more than adequate. "Through Him, with Him, and in Him" our lives become life-changing, earth-shaking, and eternally important.
Therefore, give your life totally to the Lord and His people (see 2 Kgs 4:42, 43). The only life worth living is the multiplied life, and the only multipliable life is the one totally given to Him. Give totally and live powerfully.
Prayer: Father, prevent me from wasting my life by withholding part of it from You (see Lk 9:24).
Promise: "Make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force." —Eph 4:3
Praise: Praise Jesus, risen and multiplying Lord and Savior.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Do You Renounce Satan? on audio AV 44-1 or video V-44.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 29, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 31, 2002