Today I read Luke 12:22-31. It's a
very familiar passage. Jesus says to His disciples, “Therefore I
tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor
about your body, what you will put on.” (v 22b) He goes on to
describe the Father's care for the flowers and birds. If God provides
for them, won't He surely care for us, His own children? “And which
of you by being anxious can add a single hour to the span of his
life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why
are you anxious about the rest? And do not seek what you are to eat
and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the
world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need
them. Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to
you.” (25-26, 29-31)
When I was younger I used to worry
about finances a great deal. That was foolish, of course. I should
have trusted my parents. What about now though? Now I'm living in the
“grown-up world.” Isn't worrying being responsible, because there
are very real practical issues that need my attention? Umm... no.
That's not to say that we should be haphazard or foolish in planning
or decision making, but there is a world of difference between being
responsible and being anxious. Jesus commands us not to worry,
and not just about things that are out of our control, like getting sick
or loosing a loved one. In this passage, Jesus is addressing areas
where our actions do have
an effect, like having food and clothing.
Worry means anxiously focusing on
something- dwelling on it and being weighed down by the burden of it.
But what is the purpose? Our
worry can't change anything, and will have no practical effect
outside of making us miserable and joyless.
One thing that was particularly convicting for me today was the
rebuke in the middle of this passage: “O you of little faith.” (v
28b) I struggle with worry. But worry isn't simply a bothersome
personality trait. It is sin. It is an active declaration that I
believe God is not trustworthy. It's saying, in effect, “Yes God, I
know that You have said that You are in control, but I need to hold
on and make sure that things are ok, because I don't believe that You
will handle things as they should be handled.” Ouch.
If I truly believe that God holds all things in His hands, that He
will do what He has promised, and that He is working for my good even
in hard things, then steadfast confidence and peace should define my
life.
That was a highly convicting reminder that I very much needed! He is
trustworthy, and I want to live like I believe it.
