Trusting in God, Our “GPS” To The Kingdom of Heaven

Admittedly something I’ve had a tendency to do my entire life is to over-analyze, which has led to worry.

For instance an early memory is being about 4 years old, taking a swimming class. I was with the kids on the shallow end of the pool, and the instructor wanted us to hold onto a flotation device and let go of the side of the pool. It took a long time for me to do that, because all I saw was all this water around me which certainly meant something bad would happen.

Then, a couple of years down the line, learning to ride a bike. Surely that will result in disaster I thought, for two wheels were so much harder than having training wheels or a tricycle. Well, it took some time, but eventually I was able to ride just fine.

Going further down the road of life, there’s a number of things I think of; the fears of starting seminary; the fears of dealing with difficult things as a priest with parishioners or staff people or public speaking; the fears of letting others down; health worries. Indeed, my mind does work overtime at times – but all that worry doesn’t help much. As we heard a few weeks ago with Jesus and Martha, Martha’s problem wasn’t that she was working and doing a good thing with a meal – it was that she was anxious about many things. How I can relate! Maybe you can too.

This week in the second reading, we are given a challenge, and that is to trust in God. To not live in fantasy land, or just be content with the status quo, but to realize that God is calling us to do new things with our lives. Sometimes that means a big change. But it can also mean starting school, a new job, or pursuing a vocation. Inevitably, it’s a challenge. But inevitably, it will bring about so many good things.

The author of the Letter to the Hebrews says: “Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” He then talks about Abraham who has his own journey; called to go out and going out “not knowing where he was to go” and dealing with many ups and downs, but in the end ending up having descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as sands on the seashore. He does this with faith; to let go of himself, and to trust in God. And the challenge for us is to do the same.

It starts by regularly asking ourselves what needs to change in our lives.

First, sometimes there is a sin we need to look at. Some hit rock bottom or have a sin, struggle or addiction that just overwhelms them. And it can be easy to just think “I can never change this” but asking for help is so important, seeking the help of others and most importantly God.

But often it’s not even a sin, but just time to do something new. Think of Bilbo and Frodo from the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings; they leave the comfort of the shire because there is a bigger plan that needs to unfold that they are to be a part of. When asked where they are going, Bilbo responds “on an adventure.” Life is the same way. I shared before how I almost didn’t enter seminary right after college because I was panicked thinking how can I do this, I’ve just finished college, I need to slow down and work a year or two and think this all through, but I changed my mind when no one picked up the phone at the seminary who I was going to tell I’m not coming to. I was so blessed Fr. Ron Bowers, the vice rector, wasn’t in that day – it gave me time to just think it all through and realize that God wanted me to go. But I had to take that step. Maybe God is tapping you on the shoulder too – so listen to what He may be challenging you to do or change.

When you do that, it’s important to remember that He will be with you every step of the way to lead you through, but that change is inevitably tough. We go to kindergarten but eventually we find learning new things is tough, and sometimes in school we deal with a difficult teacher or even a bully. A new job has it’s ups and downs. We get married and find we love the person but they have some annoying habits or can sometimes drive us crazy. Whatever the change is, setting off on that new adventure will bring it’s valleys with the peaks. Hopefully we realize that achieving our dreams and goals by following God’s plan is a long haul effort, a marathon not a sprint, and keep persisting at it remembering that when we do, so many amazing things await.

Lastly, we always have to remember, God is in control, so let go, let God! Sometimes we want to do things “our way” and can get stubborn. That’s fine if you are talking about say ketchup on a steak (in my case) or your choice of where to travel to, but not for a faith journey. For instance, change happens in the Church; the universal Church understands God’s teaching more deeply, and may change the liturgy, or issue a new clarification on teaching. In parishes, things change too; pastors working with the people of God lead a community through changes such as mergers, new programs, and building projects. And among people we know, they discern their vocations. Sometimes God is calling them to something, but a person can stand in the way – just read the story of say Thomas Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, Catherine of Siena or many saints where their parents wanted them to do something else other than a religious vocation. We always have to remember the Holy Spirit guides our Church and one another, and we are participants, but we have to “let go, let God” and trust that He’ll guide people and our Church and on our part, give input and counsel, but make sure we are never trying to be too controlling.

Fr. Jerome Dittberner, one of my favorite teachers at seminary, would sometimes say “it will all work out.” When I and a couple of classmates went to Paris in 2010, we had no idea when we’d get home as a volcano in Iceland shut down air travel across Europe. When Michael, my classmate, called him to get some advice, he used those words. It ended up being a few extra days, during which I had the chance to visit Chartes Cathedral, and the garden and home of Claude Monet the artist. I even got to concelebrate Mass at Notre Dame on Sunday night – walking in with my stuff in a plastic bag from Rainbow Foods and signing in the book but having a very moving experience, invited to say part of the Eucharistic Prayer. And, eventually we made it home just fine, and it did indeed all work out. God has a plan for you and for me. So have faith in God, knowing that just as with Abraham, he is saying to you and me go forth, have faith, the assurance of all things hoped for. The journey might be difficult at times, but when we trust in God and listen to Him, what amazing things await us that eye can not see and ear cannot hear.

Have a blessed week, ~Fr. Paul

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August 2025