There are three kinds of places in the world: cursed, blessed, and drab. For example, through disobedience and pride, David turned Israel into a cursed place. In a pestilence, seventy thousand died in less than three days (2 Sm 24:15). Some places are a blessing. For example, Jerusalem was spared the pestilence and later became the site of the Temple (2 Sm 24:16). Lourdes, Fatima, and Guadalupe are known as places of blessing.
However, most places are neither cursed nor blessed in a dramatic way. Like the Nazareth of Jesus' public ministry, Jesus can work "no miracle there, apart from curing a few who were sick by laying hands on them, so much did their lack of faith distress Him" (Mk 6:5-6). God works in these places. He cures a few, but it's nothing like He really wants to do. The infinite God is limited by our infinitesimal faith.
These drab places are not cursed insofar as something terrible happens there. They even may have a few blessings. But drabness is often a quiet curse, the slow suicide of apathy, lethargy, and boredom. Through a lack of faith, we can squeeze the life out of our lives, stifle the Spirit, and leave ourselves floundering.
Don't put your life on hold. Confess your sin. Believe totally in Jesus. Receive the Spirit and the abundant life (Jn 10:10).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, by acts of faith may I let You make my life exciting. |
| PROMISE: | "He [Jesus] made the rounds of the neighboring villages instead, and spent His time teaching." –Mk 6:6 |
| PRAISE: | Once too fearful to have even a Bible in her bookcase thinking that others would mock her, Sandra, after being touched by the Holy Spirit, now has countless religious icons blessing her home. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College