“ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”
– Matthew 6:35-32
When you read the passage above, do you feel like Jesus is telling you to simply try harder to not worry? If you do, it may seem like you are expending a lot of effort in your quest to be a peaceful person but not getting anywhere. This is why, in addition to instructing us what not to do, God gives us a solution to the problem. Though it may not be obvious upon first glance, here’s the ticket to letting go of worry — focusing on your worth in His eyes. Our loving Savior encourages us to look at the flowers that grow in the field; they are amazing in their delicacy and intricacy and yet, in a way, they are worthless. They are alive today, but tomorrow, when a strong wind comes, they will be gone. And how about the birds? They’re cute and happy as they fly around and play in the air, but they don’t sow and reap like you do, yet God cares for them, meets their needs, and gives them a great life. If He takes care of the smallest of creatures that are, in man’s eyes, insignificant, how much more does He think about you, tend to you, and bless you, a precious child who is made in His image? You are His beloved son or daughter and when He sees you, He perceives value and worth that is far beyond that of a bird or a flower. Friend, God cares for you. He knows the needs that you have and He already has them taken care of. This is the logical reason He gives you to not worry. While the pagans run after the things of the world and spend their entire lives hotly pursuing money, clothing, respect, and admiration, the Lord enables you to rest because He already knows that you require these things. Instead of worrying, I encourage you to run vigorously after the Kingdom of God. In the same way that pagans run after the treasures of the world, devote your life to His service and live one day at a time, trusting Him to meet your needs and resting securely in His fatherly love. As you do, everything that you need (and more) will be added to you! Isn’t that fantastic news? |
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for ascribing great value to my life. I am grateful that you have called me your child and that you are taking care of all my needs.
Reflection
How can you focus on your worth in God’s eyes? How will this enable you to run vigorously after His Kingdom?
