Spring is in the air.
The sound of the birds chirping and the beauty of the first cherry blossoms bring hope and joy to us after a long winter.
Creation cries out, “Summer is coming.”
In my own life, I know of dozens of people who have not only been going through a season of winter, but also a season of hardship.
Similar to the cycle of seasons, our life often brings about seasons of difficulty, followed by seasons of serenity.
Which season are you in?
Our tendency during a season of difficulty is to worry, loose sleep, and ultimately, to fear.
However, one of the subjects that Jesus was abundantly clear on was the topic of worry.
In Luke 12:22-35, Jesus uses flowers and birds as his illustrative objects of teaching.
He says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the birds: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
Jesus’ reminder to us is that our value as human beings surpasses any other creation of God; and therefore, God’s desire to take care of our needs is incomparable.
Jesus makes it very clear that when we are worried about material things, we are not doing the one thing we need to do the most, trusting God.
By saying, “Who of your by worrying can add a single hour do your life?” Jesus is revealing that there is simply no productivity in worrying. It’s pointless. It won’t improve the situation, so why invest so much time in it?
Some of us may be thinking, ‘Okay, that sounds a bit ethereal, only if you knew what I was going through.’
Jesus offers a solution, he continues, “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, 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 is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith. And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
Essentially, we are to invest the time that we do worrying and instead seek God and his purposes for our lives and his promise to us is that all will be well in the end.
Instead of thinking anxious thoughts of fear, instead choose to think about the numerous promises of God and pray for strength.
As a wise man once said, “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change.”
– by Dave Jonsson, associate pastor NorthRidge Foursquare Church.