March 15 | When Good Intentions Aren’t Enough

Today’s readings place us in moments where human confidence meets the limits of human strength. Both passages invite us to consider how faith is formed not simply through sincere intentions, but through experiences that expose where we still need God’s help.In Deuteronomy, Moses reminds Israel to remember where they came from and how God rescued them before they settle into the stability of the promised land. The instructions surrounding offerings and remembrance create a rhythm that keeps the people aware of their dependence on God, even when life begins to feel secure.In Mark 14, the disciples express deep loyalty to Jesus, yet within hours their confidence gives way to fear and exhaustion. Peter’s bold promise and the disciples’ inability to stay awake in Gethsemane reveal the gap that can exist between sincere devotion and tested faith.Together, these passages invite us to reflect on how God patiently forms His people through moments that reveal both devotion and limitation. They remind us that spiritual formation often happens not when we feel strong, but when we recognize how much we still depend on God’s grace.