Don't you hate it when that happens? When the pastor at church reads the sermon text and you recognize yourself in it? And then when he starts preaching, and yup, you know for sure it's all about you? Well, our wonderful young pastor Matt preached on me today. And I was squirming.
The text was Matt 6:24-34...................Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
I am the chief of worriers. The number one worrier. My middle name is worry. My husband is constantly telling me not to worry. This text asks who can add one cubit to his height by worry. Pastor said this morning that no one can add one single cent to his income by worry, nor one second to his lifetime. God is in charge. He loves us and has promised to take care of us. Why should we worry?
But I do. And I am ashamed.
When our children were young, we taught them this little hymn. I need to go back and read these words, and become a little lamb, and trust that the Shepherd will take care of me.
I am Jesus' little lamb, Ever glad at heart I am;
For my Shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my need and well provides me,
Loves me ev'ry day the same, Even calls me by my name.
Day by day, at home away, Jesus is my Staff and Stay.
When I hunger, Jesus feeds me;
Into pleasant pastures leads me;
When I thirst, He bids me go, Where the quiet waters flow.
Who so happy as I am, Even now the Shepherd's lamb?
And when my short life is ended,
By His angel host attended,
He shall fold me to His breast, There within His arms to rest.
4 comments:
Wow. I thought I was the chief worrier. I'd be happy to relinquish the title, but I'm sorry you feel you wear the crown, Marge. I work at not worrying, and I pray...and my hubby also tells me often not to worry. Even when I'm not! He is the opposite of worry. Which makes me the one to shoulder all the worry! I've told him, if he would now and then act a bit concerned about just a few things, not assume it will all turn out because he is trusting God, then I could feel like I wasn't the only one being realistic enough to have some concerns! Aren't we the funniest opposites? He's a blessing, though. And in turn, I help him by noticing the things he just wouldn't see otherwise. Balance. Tightrope.
Enjoy your trip up North, worry free. Good reminder that worry does nothing, except cause us more trouble.
Nancy in Iowa
Nancy, my husband is exactly the same way! His favorite line is "It will be fine!" Whatever it's about, it will be fine. But you hit the nail on the head....REALISTIC....if we aren't concerned about it or if someone isn't keeping track of such and such, then who is? God, I know, but I guess I feel He needs help sometimes! HA! As if my worrying would help Him...............
Yes, the cool, crisp air on the North Shore should clear my mind of worry....at least while I'm up there!
Very nice post! It seems to be on a Sunday when I don't really feel like getting up, getting dressed up or whatever...to go to church, that I DO go to church and the sermon is just for ME! I worry, too, but I am getting so much better at saying "If it is meant to be, it will be." My favorite verse is Philippians 4:6, which sums it up: Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything.
Easier said than done sometimes, because of our human nature to want to control things and worry when we can't...but I hold that verse dear to me and even have it printed on my checks. Yes, I said "checks" -- remember that old mode of paying for things? I probably write about two checks a month, only to places I can't use my debit card.
But anyway... :)
Have a great trip up north! We were there in July. I think I could live there!
It seems women tend to worry more than men I think. Not that it makes it ok, but I think we have more of that fear factor. We so want things to "be ok". And we want to MAKE it happen. I too worry, I try not to, I try to remember God IS in control, God is good ALL the time, and that EVERYTHING happens for some reason. but ....oh there it is again....BUT....it just isn't that simple for me all the time.
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