All of us who know and believe in our triune God, would acknowledge the fact that He is in all things and above all things.  We know that He is powerful and in control, but does our life really demonstrate that understanding?  Do we take care of everything in our lives as if we were stewards working directly for the almighty God of the universe?  Today’s readings provide powerful insight into that question.  Insight that demands critical self-reflection!

In our day-to-day existence, it is easy to begin to believe that we have life figured out.  We tend to find comfort in having control.  Our first reading from 1st Corinthians, chapter 3, reminds us that the logic we use in our quest to understand life is likely based upon wisdom as the world sees it.   We work to accomplish our goals which often involves obtaining “things.”  We are easily led astray by the world’s definition of success and happiness.   As noted in these verses, the “wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God.”  For EVERYTHING belongs to God!

God is just too much for us to wrap our minds around.  In today’s psalm it is pointed out: “To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills it.”  That includes everything – every single piece of His amazing creation.  His ownership includes the seas, the mountains, the forests, the birds & animals, and perhaps most important of all – each of us.  That included our loved ones, our possessions, literally every single piece of our lives.  Yet do we live our lives like we understand that truth?  I so often focus upon the things in my life rather than the Creator/Owner of those things.  How could I possibly continue to overlook the fact that my amazing, beyond comprehension God owns me and everything that I hold dear is ultimately in his hands? Grasping that fact is not only the secret to a fulfilled, anxiety free life, but it also frees us to actually grasp the endless opportunities that God has prepared for each of us, each and every day.  

Our reading for today in Matthew reminds us of our duty to become “fishers of Men.”   That focus helps us maintain our attention on what truly is important – pointing those around us to Jesus, the Creator and Center of everything.  However, even if we could actually keep our constant focus upon winning souls, Jesus understood that we will need help – amazing, breathtaking help from Him.  In our gospel today from Luke, Jesus reminds us that fishing for men involves so much more than our worldly efforts.   Simon Peter, James and John were professional fishermen.  They understood what it takes to be successful in the art of fishing.  Their worldly experiences had taught them that.  But with Jesus and His plans for them (as well as for each of us), they needed to change their perspective – how they saw things.  Even though it made no sense to them, they chose to simply follow Jesus’ directive.  The result was astonishment!

Isn’t that really how life is intended to work?  If we can take our focus off the things of this life and focus instead upon what God has made each of us to do, we will be astonished at the results.  When the light comes on for us that God’s plans are truly better than anything we could have thought or imagined, as it did for Simon Peter, James & John, then we will be able to begin to grasp all that God can do through us. 

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to never forget all that you are.  You created everything and are in charge of everything.  Help us see you in all the big and little details of our life.  Open our eyes and our hearts so that we can see your hand in every moment of our lives – to be  astonished in what you will accomplish through each of us.    
In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen