Today’s verse is a very familiar one. It’s been turned into songs, including the campfire song you may remember from our summer camp days. But what I didn’t realize is that it is in a part of Jesus’s speech given the heading ‘the cure for anxiety’ in this translation. Wonderful! In the rest of the verse Jesus tells me not to worry about my needs. Jesus also compares my life that that of birds and flowers both of which are fed and clothed more than adequately because God loves them. And then Jesus says that God loves me even more than the birds and flowers. Then in today’s verse He finally answers the how question. How do I stop worrying? The answer is to stop focusing on myself and my needs and to focus instead of God and what He wants. Simple, but not that easy. God wants to be my number 1 priority. Not after I finish my chores. Not after I relax for a while after a long day. Not once the bills are all paid. Before all that! Number 1! It’s a matter of trust. Do I believe this verse? If I tithe first, before my bills are paid, do I trust God to help me steward my money more wisely so I have enough at the end of the month to put gas in the car? If I take time to listen to a lonely stranger when I’m rushing around, do I trust that God will bless me by getting me where I need to be in time? If I take time to pray and study the Bible before I take care of important paperwork, do I trust God to give me the time and strength to complete it later? Or maybe He’ll work some miracle where the paperwork isn’t needed after all. God is creative. The important thing for me to know is that He loves me and if I make His plans my number 1 plans, then my needs will be met. And then some.
Dear God,
Thank you so much for this promise! Help me to trust you with all my needs so that I don’t have to worry about any of them. Teach me to risk leaving my worries at your feet while I spend time with you. Show me everyday where you want my time and money to go first.
CamDevo 