” Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you
will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life
more important than food, and the body not more important than clothes?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in
barns, and yet you your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much
more valuable than they? Who of you worrying can add a single hour to
his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lillies of
the field grow. They do not labor or spin. yet I tell you that not even
Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is
how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and
tomorrow thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you
of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What
shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after
these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” – Matthew 6:25-32
will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life
more important than food, and the body not more important than clothes?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in
barns, and yet you your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much
more valuable than they? Who of you worrying can add a single hour to
his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lillies of
the field grow. They do not labor or spin. yet I tell you that not even
Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is
how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and
tomorrow thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you
of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What
shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after
these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” – Matthew 6:25-32
Why is it so hard to trust these words? Hard to say, “Yes! I
actually understand what Jesus is saying here?” To live a life in the
moment. To go into each day as we should….not worrying about it!
Clearly Jesus speaks of our tendency to worry about things. I will
admit I worry about money, how I’m going to get from point A to B, etc.
I worry about other peoples driving for goodness sakes! (I often tense
up when driving with other people) Why is that? Is my life that
valuable I need to protect it at all costs? Will the world forever be
doomed if I perish? Why am I so selfish?!
actually understand what Jesus is saying here?” To live a life in the
moment. To go into each day as we should….not worrying about it!
Clearly Jesus speaks of our tendency to worry about things. I will
admit I worry about money, how I’m going to get from point A to B, etc.
I worry about other peoples driving for goodness sakes! (I often tense
up when driving with other people) Why is that? Is my life that
valuable I need to protect it at all costs? Will the world forever be
doomed if I perish? Why am I so selfish?!
Look at us, it’s illegal to drive without insurance! We invest in
life insurance so our nice stockpile of earthly possessions don’t go to
waste! We choose the safest, and most secure models of vehicles (even
if it costs an extra few year’s pay)! We work hard so we can have
bigger things, just because we can! And we keep buying the latest
clothes because they look “cute” or “in”! Look at us! We worry about
things because the world worries! The world should worry as this old
way will perish. Through Christ we enter into relationship with God,
the Kingdom of God. Our currency changes, our purpose becomes clear,
and who we are determines what we do! We are above this world. We are
seated in heavenly places. We are a royal priesthood. A holy nation. We
shouldn’t worry as this world does! If we believe that there is greater
things than this world, we shouldn’t be getting caught up in this world.
life insurance so our nice stockpile of earthly possessions don’t go to
waste! We choose the safest, and most secure models of vehicles (even
if it costs an extra few year’s pay)! We work hard so we can have
bigger things, just because we can! And we keep buying the latest
clothes because they look “cute” or “in”! Look at us! We worry about
things because the world worries! The world should worry as this old
way will perish. Through Christ we enter into relationship with God,
the Kingdom of God. Our currency changes, our purpose becomes clear,
and who we are determines what we do! We are above this world. We are
seated in heavenly places. We are a royal priesthood. A holy nation. We
shouldn’t worry as this world does! If we believe that there is greater
things than this world, we shouldn’t be getting caught up in this world.
I know I definitely worry too much! I complain when I shouldn’t.
It’s not because I have it “better” than those in other areas around
the globe; that would be a prison of comparison. I shouldn’t complain
because I have every thing I need right in front of me. Sure the world
evolves, but that doesn’t give us the right to have to have bigger and
better. I know I can do without a laptop; maybe that’s why mine’s on a
last leg. I can do without a car; God took that away in a hurry and
I’ve been doing just fine. And I can do without a house or apartment of my own;
for I have had a roof over my head or a space in a tent ever since I’ve
been back in Manitoba! I’m starting to get this more than ever. The
crazy thing it doesn’t take a special or unique or even wierd individual like me to live this life! I know people who have far less and have alot less grasp on the newest “gear” than I do.
It’s not because I have it “better” than those in other areas around
the globe; that would be a prison of comparison. I shouldn’t complain
because I have every thing I need right in front of me. Sure the world
evolves, but that doesn’t give us the right to have to have bigger and
better. I know I can do without a laptop; maybe that’s why mine’s on a
last leg. I can do without a car; God took that away in a hurry and
I’ve been doing just fine. And I can do without a house or apartment of my own;
for I have had a roof over my head or a space in a tent ever since I’ve
been back in Manitoba! I’m starting to get this more than ever. The
crazy thing it doesn’t take a special or unique or even wierd individual like me to live this life! I know people who have far less and have alot less grasp on the newest “gear” than I do.
When I was on the race in 2008, I worried about
my expectations not being met; even though I was an extremely flexible
and ready for change kind of guy. I worried when my team ran out of
money and I had to dip into personal savings. I worried when I didn’t
agree with decisions and wouldn’t get a chance to serve and expereince
various things that I had wanted to. I was being selfish and
self-preserving. Why? maybe it was this image that I needed to hold up.
Maybe a reckless abandon into this passion for exploration and adventure that I didn’t fully understand. Maybe I was just plain old immature at the time and was plain old prideful.
my expectations not being met; even though I was an extremely flexible
and ready for change kind of guy. I worried when my team ran out of
money and I had to dip into personal savings. I worried when I didn’t
agree with decisions and wouldn’t get a chance to serve and expereince
various things that I had wanted to. I was being selfish and
self-preserving. Why? maybe it was this image that I needed to hold up.
Maybe a reckless abandon into this passion for exploration and adventure that I didn’t fully understand. Maybe I was just plain old immature at the time and was plain old prideful.
So the question now is, “Since I’ve built my empire, how can I let it go?” I don’t think it’s as literal in all cases as the rich young ruler in the sense of just sell it all. But try opening it up to others! Share it. Don’t bottle it up, release it. Obviously what we’ve accumulated can be used for God’s kingdom. Extend a hand to others who need what you have! Let others enjoy things alongside you, not trying to outdo you!
Once we let go of all our expectations of having the best, doing the greatest, or not being the worst; we can finally be free. We stop worshiping the “stuff” and turn our eyes off of ourselves. Our worries of this world will disappear. Live in the moment and you’ll have nothing to worry about! Let the lord clothe you, let him feed you, let him provide for you! Give to others, because I gaurantee you that you’ll recieve even more in return! When we actually trust and listen to Jesus’ words, we’ll trust that our heavenly Father knows just what we need!
