Reflect today on those you feel that God wants you to approach with the gospel

Jesus called the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He told them not to take anything for the trip but a walking stick: no food, no sack, no money on their belts. Mark 6: 7–8

Why would Jesus order the Twelve to go preach with authority but take nothing with them on the journey? Most people who embark on a trip prepare in advance and make sure they pack what they need. Jesus' instruction was not so much a lesson on how to rely on others for basic needs as it was a lesson on trusting divine providence for their ministry.

The material world is good in and of itself. All creation is good. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with having possessions and using them for our own good and for the good of those who have been placed in our care. But there are times when God wants us to rely more on Him than on ourselves. The story above is one of those situations.

By instructing the Twelve to move forward in their mission without carrying the necessities of life, Jesus was helping them to trust not only in His providence for those basic needs, but also to trust that He would provide them spiritually in their preaching mission. , teaching and healing. They had great spiritual authority and responsibility, and because of this, they needed to rely on God's providence to a much greater extent than others. Hence, Jesus exhorts them to trust Him regarding their basic needs so that they are also willing to trust Him in this new spiritual mission.

The same is true in our lives. When God entrusts us with a mission to share the gospel with another, he will often do so in a way that requires great trust on our part. He will send us "empty-handed," so to speak, so that we will learn to rely on His kind guidance. Sharing the gospel with another person is an incredible privilege, and we must realize that we will only be successful if we wholeheartedly rely on God's providence.

Reflect today on those you feel God wants you to approach with the gospel. How do you do this? The answer is quite simple. You do this only by relying on God's providence. Go out in faith, listen to his guiding voice every step of the way, and know that his providence is the only way the gospel message will actually be shared.

My trusted Lord, I accept your call to move forward and share your love and mercy with others. Help me always rely on you and your providence for my mission in life. Use me as you wish and help me to trust in your guiding hand for building your glorious Kingdom on earth. Jesus I believe in you