31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I know this passage all too well. It is a passage that has been recommended to me by my parents as I was growing up and various pastors in my life and some good friends who know me well. It is hilarious to me that I ended up having to blog about it. I am a planner by nature. I love order and having a schedule. I thrive best knowing what's coming next and having things go according to plan... my plan. I'm sure some of you may know that about me to some varying degree. Anyways, this passage has always been a good reminder and has given me comfort in some of my craziest moments.
I read this passage a little differently today though...not just as practical counsel on not worrying about tomorrow. What stood out for me today was that if I profess to be a Christian and set apart from the world, I need to stop being preoccupied with worrying about my own plans, goals, wants, and desires. Instead, I should be living every day focused on how to respond to the people, situations and things God has placed in my life right now and his plans for me and trust that God will provided me with all that I need as I stay focused on Him.
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4 comments:
wow, excellent reflection, christine! i was very ministered to today by Jesus's words.
this passage reminds us that prolonged anxiety is a denial in the end of everything we profess to believe about God.
in thinking about these things, i was very much struck by that famous verse:
"seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you".
i realized that this verse explains the secret of how to live the christian life well.
inherent in the verse is a very wonderful promise. we need not be anxious about the legitimate necessities of life (food, drink, clothing)--they are legitimate and "your Heavenly Father knows that you need them" (v.32).
but we are to seek His reign and His righteouness FIRST. ALL the other necessary things will be added, Jesus promises.
in our heart of hearts, what are we seeking? are we seeking the very same "other" things that the pagans run after?
most christians, i guess, do not live the christian life well because we spend our energy running after the lesser things.
but if we could just learn to seek God's kingship and righteousness first, all the "lesser" things will be added.
may God give us grace to seek His kingdom and righteousness first. not only would we then live the christian life "well",
but we would be able to properly enjoy the "lesser" things without all the anxiety that normally accompanies the attainment of them.
great post!! thanks for the honest reflection...
I'm actually touched by this passage for I think it really shows the Father's heart towards His children. It shows His desire for us to seek Him above anything else. And, in case our mind and heart is preoccupied with even the necessities of life, Jesus assures us that we don't need to worry.
this passage reveals the state of my heart on a daily basis. there is not a day that goes by where i do not worry about something. may it have to do with my work, family, friends, money, and the list goes on.
as i reflect upon God's words for us today, He reassures us that we need not to worry about ANYTHING. the idea of not having to worry about ANYTHING seems too good to be true, but this is one of His many promises to us.
i know i have much to repent for when it comes to my anxious heart. i hope and pray that i can live a life that is so sure of God's provision over me and my loved ones. life definitely looks dim when you are carrying so many burdens. may i be able to let go of my pride or whatever is standing in my way to learn to trust in God with all aspects of my life.
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