“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “
And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Starlings and sparrows
I grew up on the farm and there were always starlings and sparrows flying around. They would nest in the side of the barn, eat the grain out of the grain bin and make a mess of things. So I hunted them. I tried to shoot them out of the trees, snag them in traps or board up their nesting places. Yet these birds kept multiplying and coming back, seemingly unworried about my attempts to get rid of them.
I am not proud of some of the things I did to these creations of God. Today I look back and marvel at how God took care of these creatures despite my direct assault on them. I do not know what takes place in the mind of birds, but I do know they were consistently taken care by God, often through my labors, even though I did not like them.
How ironic, that God calls us to live like the birds. Jesus does not point to the eagle or hawk, he points to the sparrow and starlings; lowly birds. It is even more ironic, that God often provides for us through the very people who would do us harm given the opportunity. But God in his mercy, (and I think humor), provides for us through the least expected ways. Worry? Why bother? Seek first the
Lord of all creation, of birds, and flowers, and farmers, I confess I have not always treated your creation with the right attitude or care. Help me to take a lesson from the birds today about trusting in you. Show your power in my life by providing for my needs, and that, even through those who would oppose me. - Dan Jones
Crossing bridges when I get thereDealing with the issues immediately in front of me gets complicated by the issues I anticipate in the future. What about the long term implications of this decision I’m about to make? And what if the economy turns around, or I lose my job, or my wife gets cancer? What if my children respond badly or everything blows up in my face? The list of “what ifs” can get longer than Santa’s list of naughty children. Then I become paralyzed, stressed, confused, even angry with God.
Anticipating the future is always dicey business – for me, not for my Father.
How should I deal with the issues life on this planet throws my way today? It’s useless to tell me not to worry without offering an alternative. Worry loves to swoop in when my mind isn’t focused on a better alternative!
Jesus offers the positive focus of God’s rule. Rather than asking “what if” seeking the kingdom asks “what’s right”. How would Father deal with this issue? WWJD if he were me facing this need, this choice, this painful issue? Rather than engaging in the fruitless act of figuring out all the “what ifs” Jesus would have me do what is right today and trust the flowing ripples and falling chips to him.
Doing my best to reflect my Father’s will in each decision, of course, depends on how great an emphasis I place I knowing my Father and understanding his heart and mind. My best will be a pitiful effort if I ignore God in life’s routine. On the other hand, if the pursuit of God becomes a core value and passion, I can be confident that my best effort to reflect the Father’s mind and heart will not fail.
A focus on righteousness today frees me to cross future bridges when I get there.
Father, I will live with a greater awareness of you today. I will pursue your heart and mind as they are revealed on the pages of the Bible. I will listen to your Spirit’s whispered convictions and corrections. By your grace, I’ll leave tomorrow’s bridges until tomorrow. - Mike Leamon
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