Sometimes we seem to lack good practical judgment in living out our Christian lives.
Even Jesus noted that people seem to use more common sense, more resourcefulness in achieving their everyday goals in this world, than in working toward their goal in the next.
It's not necessarily that we're insincere about our faith. We're just less practical. Sometimes we seem to leave the fulfillment of our religious goals to chance. We assume that good intentions are enough and we don't need to take practical steps along the way to see to it that these good intentions are fulfilled.
Consider the practical steps parents take in raising a child. They read books about parenting. They consult doctors to be sure that their child stays healthy. They buy educational toys, have books around the house - whatever it takes to make sure their child succeeds in life.
But when it comes to their faith, the same parents might not take the same practical steps to make sure their child grows in faith. A child could grow up in a Catholic family today without ever knowing some of our rich Catholic traditions. A child might never know some of the devotions or prayers that are part of Catholicism.
When you commit yourself to following in the Lord's footsteps, you commit yourself to a particular way of life. That way of life takes common sense and practical planning in order to make your commitment to Christ more than words.
Maybe you should talk to the Lord about your plans for following him.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw