Wednesday, March 17 – By Lynne Bullock

Don’t Worry – Matthew 6:19-34

Wow what a fitting scripture for these times we are living in, especially verse 25 which says: “So I tell you—don’t worry about everyday life.”

How can that possibly be applicable in this Covid 19 world we live in, when everything seems to be in crisis? So many worries rise up. Will there be enough vaccines for everybody? Will we get control over the virus before it mutates too often and the present vaccines becomes ineffective? Can the crisis in Long Term Care nursing homes be fixed so our elderly population can live with dignity and compassion? Will our kids and grandkids ever experience the job security we knew? Will safe, clean water really be made available for everyone? The list goes on and on! Perhaps worry is the defining sin of today’s world.

In this passage, Jesus reminds us that since God feeds the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field, we can trust that God will care for us as well. Then Jesus asks a simple question: “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Of course not! The bible then gives us the antidote for worry: seek first the kingdom of God and everything else we need, will be added to it.

Can it possibly be that simple?

How do we get to the place where the very real problems of the world do not weigh us down, making us anxious and depressed? How do we get beyond troubled hearts? How do we help right the inequities in a world where millions of people are starving even though there are enough resources to feed everyone?

How do we invest in God’s currency rather than the world’s currency?

I think to invest in God we have to know Him. We have to understand just how much God loves us. Praying, journaling, reading my bible are all ways I have come to know God intimately. As we become more familiar with the Bible we see it is full of encouragement and those words get planted in our hearts. “Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden.” “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” “There is no fear in love because perfect love casts out fear.” “Do not be anxious about anything; instead pray about everything.” Fear and trust seem to be polar opposites, but if we replace worry with prayer we are actually saying, I trust you God.

A wise person once said that worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow. It only steals the joy from today. May we all go forward, trusting God.

Prayer: Gracious God, we know intellectually that worry won’t add a single moment to our lives. Plant that truth in our hearts. Please meet us right where we are and help us to trust you in all things. Amen