Scripture: Matthew 6
‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,* or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more
value than they?
And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?*
And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin,
yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and
tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you
of little faith?
Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?”
For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Observation:
Jesus contrasts human anxieties over bare essentials, food and clothing, with the birds and flowers. They don't spend all of their time and energy to acquire food and clothes, yet they seem to have all that they need. Jesus proposes that basic needs are not met by human toil, but by a graciously providing God. And that if we focus on the kingdom of God, all these things will be added as well. He goes on to suggest that we live in the present, dealing with one day at a time. The future is not real. Today is enough to handle.
Application:
It is hard to hear these words. We are driven by anxiety and worry. About the future. About today. About having enough. We believe in scarcity and the possibility that what we have can be quickly lost. Some of us have experienced such loss. Others have seen its effects on loved ones, neighbors, friends. Jesus' mockery of anxiety seems out of touch with reality in this world.
And yet, there is something beautiful and simple about his words. We do get hung up on material things that don't matter. There is an abundance of food and clothing around us. Most of us have more than we need every day. Yet we still worry. Anxiety is, however, a serious matter. That's why Jesus addresses it. He knows its a part of the human condition. He wants to free us from its paralyzing effects and make us aware of the simple gifts all around. I know when I am worried, I need to remember "the birds and the lilies". Creation teaches us that we are valuable, precious, beloved by God. The creator has given us so many gifts. Do I recognize them? Do I know who and what truly matters and what doesn't? Sometimes I need to sit in nature and enjoy the birds, bees, flowers, and trees. You know? Martin Luther said that the Word of God is written there, too. I hear creation say "Life is good. Enjoy it. Share it. Care for it. Trust me. I've done all this for you."
Prayer:
Lord, give us faith to trust in your abundance, to live gratefully with what we have, and to be generous toward those in need. Amen.
