Devotional on Matthew 6:25-34
As we have already seen, Jesus gives some strange commands in the Sermon on the Mount. Turn the other cheek. Go the extra mile. Give in secret.
And now we come to one that is difficult to even wrap our minds around...
Do not worry!
"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" (v. 25-27)
Come on, Jesus! How is this even possible?!
Worry is so embedded into the fabric of everyday life.
And I don't know about you, but when I tell someone my problems, I get a little annoyed if they respond with, "Don't worry about it. It will all work out. Just trust God."
"That's easy for you to say," I think. "And I DO trust God... But it's still hard to not worry."
That's the thing about worries. We all have them. And it's easy to tell others not to worry because their worries are not ours. But when it comes to our worries, we're not so confident.
So I promise I won't tell you to just "not worry." Because I don't know what you're dealing with today. You may have very good things to worry about. I know I do.
Besides, it's hard to NOT do something. When someone quits drinking, they can't sit around all day focusing on not consuming alcohol. That would drive them nuts. Instead, they have to fill that void with something else.
As I read this passage yesterday in preparation, I had my own list of worries burdening me. And even though I've read this passage hundreds of times, I asked a question I've never asked before: What does Jesus tell us to do instead of worry?
I see two alternatives to worry that Jesus gives us.
First, he tells us to look and remember how God provides for his creation. Look at the birds of the air and how God feeds them. Look at the flowers of the field and how God clothes them. "And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?" (v. 30)
The problem with "just not worrying" is that we think the alternative is to sit around and pretend everything is okay. But Jesus knows there are things in this world to worry about. He even says, "Today's trouble is enough for today" (v. 34).
Jesus isn't glibly telling us that our worries don't matter. Instead, in a world full of worries, he's inviting us to focus our attention on the tenderness of God. Look at how he cares for birds and flowers. Let it be a reminder that God is good. He loves you.
We can also reflect on our lives to remember how God got us through hard times. When we feel stressed or worried, looking back on our own story can be helpful. God was there for me then, and even though it may be hard to see, I know he's there for me now.
The second way to fight against worry is to take an active role in God's kingdom:
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." (v. 33)
Remember—the Sermon on the Mount is about God's kingdom breaking into this world. And as Jesus followers, we are called to show the world what this kingdom looks like.
When it comes to dealing with enemies, that means meeting violence with non-violence in imaginative ways.
When it comes to worrying, we also need to live differently. As Jesus says, "These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs" (v. 33).
Worry is a natural part of this world, just like revenge is. So, how do we flip the script? Not by passively "not worrying" but by actively playing a role in God's kingdom.
I will still wake up with a list of worries. But I focus on being the best father/husband/friend/stranger on the street I can be.
The more I focus on loving others as Jesus did, the less control worries have over me.
As we begin our day, here are some questions to ponder:
What worries are you waking up with today?
How does remembering God's care for creation remind you of his love for you?
Instead of trying to "not worry," what is one small thing you can do for others today to shift your focus?
If you have time, look up the song "You're Love is Strong" by Jon Foreman. Use that song to start off the day focused on God.
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If you enjoyed this devotional, please take a moment to check out my Nobody Left Out series of devotionals. They were written to help ordinary people (like me!) grow in their relationship with Jesus.
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