We spend a lot of time worrying. The world is a complex place and there are so
many things going on both locally and globally that we find worrying is a full
time job.
- How much snow will we get?
- Do I have enough eggs, milk and bread to survive the storm?
- What’s the best time to get to the grocery before all those others?
- Do I have batteries? Enough salt? Gas for the snow-blower?
And while we’re waiting on that long line to purchase our
survival ingredients for making French
Toast, we can take a moment to reflect on the escalating situation in the
Ukraine or the riots in Venezuela. Or maybe
its strife within our own borders that occupy our thoughts, the healthcare mess,
our legislative meltdown or the injustice of economic inequality. No matter which way we turn there is always
something to worry about.
Now we hear Jesus telling us not to worry. God will provide.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness and all things will be given you. Do not worry about tomorrow,
tomorrow will take care of itself.”
Does that mean when I get up Monday morning, as the snow
piles up in my yard, that the Lord will have placed those eggs, milk and bread
in my larder, so I can enjoy a hearty breakfast or will there be just that lonely
can of chickpeas, some stale saltines and the empty container of OJ I left
there yesterday?
Our lives are a matter of priorities. What is really important, what matters not so
much and what in our lives is ‘Much ado about nothing.” How do we occupy our time, energies and
thoughts? Do our worldly worries take
precedence or do we really place God above all things and let the other ‘stuff’
fall into place in proper perspective?
All thing point to the primacy of God in our lives. He tell us, ‘I am your God, you are my
people.’ In his covenant with his chosen
people, the commandments handed to Moses, begins with,
‘I am
the Lord, your God. You will have no other gods before me.’
And now Jesus says,
‘Seek first the kingdom of God.’
How can we not understand the proper place of God in our
lives? How can we let the worries of
this world seem more important than our worship and praise of God, our Father,
our creator and provider?
We are stewards of this world and all that God provides. It is in His name that we live. It is His will that we obey. It is His love we seek. Do not lose sight of the priorities in His
gift of this life. The latest fashions,
the newest must-watch entertainment, the hottest gossip, the rising career
path, the up-to-the-minute trending topics and technologies – whatever it is
that occupies our attention – should not take away from our seeking God above
all things.
In seeking God and living in his love, we love one another as
He loves us. We care for one another as
He cares for us. We seek His love, in
our love for our neighbor and live in His love, as we live in His peace and His
justice with one another.
Our God is a God of people, not a god of things. He alone knows and provides the good things
we need in our lives. Trust in the
Lord. Fear not, for He is with us. ~Amen
Peace,
Deacon Don Ron
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