Thursday Thoughts (5/4/17)

(Matthew 6:25-34) Jesus tells us not to worry about what they would eat or what they should wear. He reflects on the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. The overall gist of what Jesus is saying, is that we are to put our trust in God. He provides for the birds, and he created the flowers with great beauty. Israel for many years had tried to look to foreigners for help. Who could they trust, how could they build alliances with others to survive and not be destroyed.

Rome’s occupation of their land was the result of making deals to avoid war that they could not possibly win. Who could blame them? After all they were greatly outnumbered, and after the Babylonian captivity their faith in the Jerusalem very well could have been shaken. As a people their faith in God would be shaken to the core.

Jesus speaks to an audience that knew what Roman rule looked like. They also knew what corrupt Jewish leadership looked like too. It seems logical to imagine that the average person in Jesus’ day lived with a certain level of anxiety about the political climate, especially in the larger cities.

What is fascinating is that Jesus’ teaching focuses on the basics of life, food and clothing. Things that most of us today take for granted. Food pantries fill our community churches, and there are places for folks to get clothing. In Jesus’ day people weren’t looking at fashion as we do today. These folks would be worrying about basic coverings for the day. Yet, he goes beyond this to tell his audience not to worry about anything, not even tomorrow. Jesus knew humanities propensity to worry. Media outlets today play on our being predisposed to worry.

What does worry get us? I have been one of those people who tells others, “Don’t worry everything will be ok!” Yet, in my own life I find myself worried at times. When a semester comes to an end, and papers are due, I begin to worry about grades, finishing my work, and yes even the beginning of another semester. I find it is always easier to encourage others more than myself. Nevertheless, with all my worry, my stress rises, I can’t sleep, I can’t focus, and it takes me twice as long to work than when I am not stressed. Worry does not help me one bit, but I still do it.

I suppose worry could become sin; however, I am not sure that is the best way for us to look at it. Worry is a reminder that we do not control the world around us, nor can we. We have no power to align all the circumstances of our life according to what would make us comfortable. Virtually everything is beyond our control. Self-control is hard enough. Jesus is not trying to add another worrisome stress to our lives, “Great now I am worried about worrying”.

Jesus is speaking words of loving encouragement. When you are facing worry, look around, see how God takes care of the smallest of creatures. See how God has adorned the earth. In the basic creative order, God provided for all of creation, and you, you are the pinnacle of that creation. You are created in the image of God. God loves you so much he sent his son to provide a way into holy fellowship with him. Jesus invites us into his peace, his shalom. It’s as if he is saying, “Come leave your worry behind, if you will trust me I will give you rest. Look how God has taken care of everything else, aren’t you worth more than birds, and flowers.”