Jesus says, "'So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.'" (Mt. 6:34)
Well, ain't that the truth????!!!!
But it is also easier said that done. In the center of St. Matthew's version of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about managing the anxieties of everyday life. He gives a calming, soothing word about not getting hooked into the myriad things every day that cause us to have stress, and for some of us, stress that makes us die too young. He uses as examples some of the most beautiful things in all creation -- birds in the air, lilies of the field - and says God provides for them lavishly. So, he asks, why will not our loving, providing God (who created us all) provide for us as well. Because of God's own faithfulness, we have no reason to believe otherwise.
Keep your focus, Jesus says, on LIVING the Kingdom of God. He has repeated that theme constantly in this Sermon, and does in yet again with these words on how silly it is to worry.
"Trust God!" he says. "Trust God!" God keeps promises.
Okay. Good words. They always bring a sense of peace when we read/share them. Yet, how many of us are scrambling every day to live in the midst of anxieties swirling around us from every direction: family, job, friends, community, even church. Most of us struggle to stay upright in it all.
Jesus' words we know are true and good. He doesn't lie or let us down.
So, why can't we do what he asks?
Talk amongst yourselves . . . and tell me.
a.
Thanks for the good reminder, Pastor Anna! I think it is hard to remember to slow down and remember God when we are confronted smack in the face with the immediate needs of screaming children, work deadlines, etc. For me, the key is to find some sort of quiet time. And that is not easy. The 10 minutes in the car between dropping our boys at their preschool and getting to my work has been the one time of day that I am alone. And even then, I still have to pay attention to driving. Nevertheless, I make myself turn off the radio and just enjoy the silence. Our boys are growing so fast and so I never, ever wish away the crazy madness that is our life these days. But I will never take a quiet moment for granted again :)
ReplyDeleteWith the many things going on in lives such as work, children, school, sports and household duties; you can become so overwhelmed and feel like you are spinning out of control. I find it hard sometimes to wind down and let God take control and not to stress, complain or worry. I will take more thought about nature and what God wants me to do more often, really should be everyday however - correct?
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