•Friday, March 05, 2010
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:26-27, 33-34 NIV
Most of us are familiar with this passage. But we probably need to hear it again. Worry is such a natural part of our existence, especially in these unsettled times when unemployment continues to rise and we're counting every penny. I mean, how can we realistically live this out?
The birds don't prepare for future hard times, yet God provides for them. But let's face it: we're humans, and Americans at that. We are driven to accumulate money and stuff and to spend most of our time in this pursuit. Not necessarily becauses the pursuit itself brings pleasure, but because we are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment and security.
But material security is mere illusion. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. True security rests in the awareness that God is our provider. He will take care of us... though not necessarily in the style we are accustomed to or prefer.
While God does expect us to be responsible and to plan ahead as best we can, our focus should be on God's kingdom, not on building a "castle in the sand." The waves of misfortune can easily wipe it out.
Difficult times may be God's way of blessing us. Instead of viewing our uncertainty about the future as a worry, we should see it as an opportunity to trust in our Provider. Absolute trust in God's provision may appear irresponsible, but it's much wiser than trusting in our own abilities, bank accounts or employers.
Most of us are familiar with this passage. But we probably need to hear it again. Worry is such a natural part of our existence, especially in these unsettled times when unemployment continues to rise and we're counting every penny. I mean, how can we realistically live this out?
The birds don't prepare for future hard times, yet God provides for them. But let's face it: we're humans, and Americans at that. We are driven to accumulate money and stuff and to spend most of our time in this pursuit. Not necessarily becauses the pursuit itself brings pleasure, but because we are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment and security.
But material security is mere illusion. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. True security rests in the awareness that God is our provider. He will take care of us... though not necessarily in the style we are accustomed to or prefer.
While God does expect us to be responsible and to plan ahead as best we can, our focus should be on God's kingdom, not on building a "castle in the sand." The waves of misfortune can easily wipe it out.
Difficult times may be God's way of blessing us. Instead of viewing our uncertainty about the future as a worry, we should see it as an opportunity to trust in our Provider. Absolute trust in God's provision may appear irresponsible, but it's much wiser than trusting in our own abilities, bank accounts or employers.
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