Today, while listening to my daily podcast, the priest spoke about how Jesus came to challenge the status quo. He didn’t just come to be followed; he came to make us question whether we are truly aligned with God.

Many of us want to practice his teachings, but I think we often overlook the “how.”

We know the First Commandment:

“You shall have no other gods before me.”

But how did Jesus actually live that out?

If you look closely at his life, he constantly honored God through four simple, daily actions:

1. Practicing Gratitude: Being thankful for everything—the big and the small.
2. Being Present: Staying connected to God through prayer, meditation, and stillness.
3. Living by Faith: Putting total trust in God rather than worrying about the future or hanging on to the past.
4. Speaking the Truth: Being authentic without fear of what others thought.

It’s easy to say,

“Well, of course, he’s Jesus!”

But Jesus came to earth to show us that we can walk this path, too. Let’s do a quick heart-check on these four pillars:

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1. Gratitude vs. Complaining

How often do you truly give thanks for what you have—or even for the things you didn’t get?

Are you frequently complaining about your situation, or are you looking for the blessing within it?

2. Being Present

How many times a day do you stop to talk to God, or better yet, find a moment of stillness to listen for that “still, small voice”?

We often say, “I’m too busy!” But Jesus was incredibly busy, and he still prioritized time with his Father.

3. Having Faith over Fear

How much do you truly let go?

Do you believe things will be okay, or do you constantly worry your way through life, holding onto people or things just to feel safe?

If you are stuck in the past or anxious about the future, you aren’t living in the present.

God wants us to do our best today, forgive the past, and trust that He is already in our tomorrow.

4. Speaking the Truth

As you practice the first three habits, you start to see the truth more clearly. You begin to recognize the “masks” we wear.

How many times do you say yes when you really want to say no?

How much of your life is spent trying to make others happy at the expense of what you know is right in your heart?

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Taking Small Steps

These habits sound simple, but they are incredibly effective when they become daily “holy habits.”

If you wait for them to happen by themselves, they won’t. We have to be intentional. Here is how you can start today:

• Gratitude: Verbally tell God what you are grateful for: your bed, your roof, your family, the fact that you woke up today. Make a physical list if you need to and voice it.
• Presence: Focus on what you are doing right now. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back. I like to take a walk outside to clear my mind and enjoy God’s gifts. Set time aside to just get away from everything and focus your attention on him. Whatever time you invest into prayer or meditation, trust me—it will be given back to you. You will see that you will accomplish much more that day.
• Faith: When depression or regret creeps in, practice forgiveness and let it go. When anxiety about the future hits, come back to the “now.” Plant the seeds today that will help you face tomorrow.
• Truth: Be courageous enough to be your true self. Learn to say no when something isn’t aligned with God’s will, even if the world expects otherwise.

Jesus came to free us through these teachings. If you are struggling to find peace in a world full of distractions, start simple.

Practice these daily, and you’ll find that life becomes much more enjoyable as you walk closer to the truth.

E.Luna