A new year has begun. 2014 is already on a relentless pace towards 2015. There will be plenty of things to worry about: healthcare, the unsettled Middle East, mid-term elections, more earthquakes and severe storms, and no doubt, personal concerns, and more. The question is—how practical is your Bible in the face of increased opportunity for worry? Listen to Christ’s words as he addresses worries about our lives.
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: 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 his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12:22-26
These familiar words offer an equal opportunity to praise God or to mock him!
Mock?
Yes, mock. These are familiar words that Christians are prone to ignore. He said your life is under God’s care. So, why worry about things you can’t control. He is not saying don’t work or be irresponsible, he is saying do not worry! Instead of taking Christ’s loving direction at face value, we often respond this way:
“Well, yes, I know, but I have to be practical, what if …”
Thus worry is justified and mocking begins. Someone will say, that is a simplistic perspective, there are important issues to consider. But, what is more important or practical than your life? We have been programmed from birth to worry, to think we must care for ourselves. Christ’s words are meant to rescue us from ourselves.
Worry means that we doubt Christ’s ability to do what he has promised. When worry persists it turns into mocking. As the parallel passage in Matthew tells us, the opposite of worry and mocking is to seek first the Kingdom of God.
This command not to worry is not given in a vacuum. It is in response to a man worrying about losing his portion of his family’s inheritance. In response Jesus says we must not doubt God’s ability to take care of us.
If you are consumed with worry you doubt God’s promise and command. Jesus lovingly calls you and me to trust him, even when life hurts. If we refuse, we join with the mocking voices of the world around us:
“What does God know?” they ask.
“Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
2014: an opportunity to trust or an opportunity to worry and mock.
Life does often hurt. it is often painful. it is filled with intimidating situations. In the face of this your Savior calls to you come to him. He will give you rest. He will care for you.
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?