Dear Friends,
An interesting discussion arose today in the Thursday morning men’s group.
We were reading Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount as found in Matthew and could not help but stumble over the instruction that is offered in 6:25-34: do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear…your heavenly Father knows that you need these things…
Someone asked me for my understanding of the nature of anxiety. It was still early, mind you, but the word that immediately came to mind was “gap.” Somewhere in the equation, there is a gap between our vision of the preferred future and our perception of the present reality. In my experience, anxiety is usually tied to fear or concern about some potential outcome. It is conditioned by my lack of confidence or control over the situation. More often than not, it is fueled by my lack of trust in God or even those around me.
To be fair, though…I’ve never met anyone without some worry, have you?
Jesus acknowledged that each day brings enough worries of their own (Mt. 6:34). So does he really expect us not to worry? If he did, and we still do, then doesn’t it make sense that we will worry about that, too?
It can be a ridiculous cycle. As the poet Thomas Earl Petty once wrote,
I’m so tired of being tired
Sure as night will follow day
Most things I worry ‘bout
Never happen anyway.
So true! And yet, shaming ourselves over this very human tendency is hardly the solution.
There is a header on this section in my Bible added by the editor which reads “DO NOT WORRY.” Honestly, I’m not sure how helpful that is to make such a blanket statement. It may even be an injustice to the text.
Could we not be more specific? Jesus said “do not worry about your life” (Mt. 6:25). Paul told the Philippians to “not be anxious about anything” (Phil. 4:6).
In other words, stop worrying about yourself.
And for God’s sake, stop worrying about your stuff.
This seems to me a good place to begin the next faithful step. Does that mean that we should not have worry or concern for anyone else? I think not.
Jesus said that when we seek his kingdom and his righteousness above all else, then all of our worries are handled with care. The promise is that not only are our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs met, but our understanding of those needs are completely recalibrated as our desires are reshaped into the image and imitation of Christ. And once that kingdom begins to be revealed in us, it will inevitably lead us to address the worries of others.
Our upcoming Serve Day in support of the women of McKemie Place is a perfect example. When we step up in the name of Jesus to help provide for what they will eat and what they will wear, then we get to see the work of God in action. When we go and do as the Spirit leads, then the Word is fulfilled. It comes alive…and so do we! And not just for us, but for all.
When we express the love and concern of God for others, then we can stop worrying about ourselves. The reverse is also true. By God’s grace, we get to help fill in each other’s “gaps.”
So when was the last time you got to be the answer to someone else’s prayers?
Here is a wonderful opportunity!
For Christ,
Darren