“Our national and personal pastime”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Monday, October 2, 2023
Matthew 6:25-34 (Forward, p. 65) CEV p. 989
Worry is a habit, persistent and ongoing, that afflicts almost all of us, whether just on a personal level or on a more ‘distant’ level, like the state of the economy or the nation’s political life or the world in general. And yet it is one of the most universally useless and unproductive habits that any of us could ever entertain. This is all the truer when one considers that many of the things that we worry about will never, ever come to pass.
Jesus has a lot to say about it in today’s passage. First off, He suggests that the God who made our bodies, the wondrous ‘creatures’ that they are, also knows how to look after them, how to provide for their physical necessities. It could be compared to what Carol and I recently discovered about her Ford Edge SUV. The designer of this modern, fine-tuned car built into its operations a computer system that automatically shut it down—or ‘converted’ it into a ‘limp mode’—when the engine coolant was either overheated or lost. Likewise, the designer of our bodies, God cares for them, knows what they need and provides for them.
To illustrate this principle, Jesus uses two illustrations from life. The first is that of the birds of the air. Certainly, they work hard to maintain their life—just observe the sparrows, the blue jays or the waxwings as they forage—but do we ever seen them worry? Jesus suggests not. And, likewise, the amazing and glorious roadside flowers. Has there ever been anything quite as wonderful? However, as the gardeners among us will most certainly know, they—like sunflowers—will orient themselves towards the sun, and even seek out moisture. But worry? Not in the least.
Jesus then goes on to marshal yet other arguments against worry. He affirms that worry won’t get us anywhere. It won’t add even an inch to our stature, nor even the shortest space to our lives. In fact, as many physicians tell us, it can do the opposite: it can shorten our lives!
Furthermore, worry betrays a lack of faith of God and a lack of remembrance of what God can and has done. It forgets that we have a loving God that takes care of us, if only we will let Him. Worry, when it is
really boiled down to its essentials, is actually a mistrust of God and His love and faithfulness.
So, what should we do, rather than worry? Just two things: firstly, to focus our attentions and efforts solely on what God wants—the kingdom of God, His rule and His way here on earth. To seek His will and seek to be obedient to it in all things. And secondly, to live just one day at a time, and let God take care of all the rest.
Forward notes: “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (verse 34).
“’Good morning. This is God. I will be handling all your problems today. I do not need your help. So, relax and have a great day.’ These words hung on the door of my grandmother’s assisted living apartment. She saw them every time she left her private unit. When I visited her, I read those words too. They offered a sense of comfort to me, and I imagine my grandmother also felt reassured by these words and the feeling that God would be with her throughout the day.
“The door sign was my grandmother’s version of a mezuzah, the blessing box of Jewish homes as a reminder of God’s constant presence. It is easy to become overwhelmed with all we need to accomplish in a given day and not appreciate each day for what it it—a gift.”
Moving Forward: “Consider creating a similar sign with words of comfort and reassurance. Hang it on your door or mirror as a reminder to thank God for another day.”