Chasing success can lead to self-destruction—here’s what to do instead!
In this episode of The Catholic Gentleman, John Heinen and Devin Schadt discuss the dangers of misplaced worship seen in secular and religious celebrities. They explain how we might identify and address similar idols in our own lives!
Embrace Littleness
Our culture is obsessed with control, self-reliance, and personal achievement. The Little Way of St. Thérèse of Lisieux offers a radical alternative: embrace your limitations. “We have to recognize our nothingness, our weakness, our littleness before God. Because if we don’t, then what we do is we operate from the seed of arrogance, the seed of pride,” Devin says. She teaches to trust completely in the Lord’s strength rather than trying to prove our own.
Sainthood Is About Surrender
It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that sainthood is about mastering your spiritual life through sheer willpower. “Individuals try to act how they think a saint should be, instead of devoting their lives to Christ in prayer, self-denial, and mortification—picking up their cross and following after Him,” John says. The Little Way reminds us not to be perfect, but to allow Christ to work through our imperfections.
Redirect Worship To God
Idolatry isn’t just golden statues. It can be power, status or even the desire to be seen as holy. The downfall of many high-profile figures—both inside and outside the Church—comes from placing their worth in these worldly measures instead of God’s love. “We can say, ‘I want to be a saint,’ but if it’s not for God’s sake and only for our sake, that’s an idol,” Devin says. The Little Way invites us to redirect our worship toward Christ alone Who can fulfill our deepest longings.
The gentlemen say that embracing your littleness will free you from idols and lead you to true greatness in Christ!
Watch this episode below 👇
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” – 1 John 5:21 🙏
Credit: George Ryan via ChurchPOP
