LESSONS ABOUT WORRY: #3

Dear girls, As I write these words from the other side of the world, most of you are sleeping. You’ve spent the day working hard, trying hard, wishing life wasn’t so hard.

And now you’re at rest.

Except maybe those of you who are mothers of babies… or waiting up for teenagers…or those of you who woke up worried about someone and now you’re praying, please God, won’t You intervene…

Tonight and most of the day tomorrow Phil and I will be teaching parents how to be Intentional about raising this next generation to be passionate about following Jesus. We’re in Germany, invited to the Black Forest Academy  to teach teachers and parents and people who are already committed, fully-after-God servants and leaders. I am honored and humbled and more than a little in awe to be here.

Last night we had dinner with a young couple we’ve known for a long time. As we caught up on the years since we’ve seen them and talked about some decisions they’re facing and worrying through, Luke repeated one of those nuggets of wisdom that seems so simple and then echoes for a long time. He was referring to something his father said, something I believe needs to be…

Lesson #3 about worry:

You need to take yourself less seriously... and take Jesus more seriously.  

This wise dad wasn’t suggesting their decisions didn’t matter. He wasn’t saying don’t plan. He didn’t even mean to minimize the pressures. He was simply taking a hard-earned, long view of life and trying to help his son see the big picture— the one where Jesus obscures all those worries.

And I wonder if those words might be for you today. And for me.

Because they sound a lot like these…

“So, I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life— whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!

So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things?

Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

So don’t worry about tomorrow…

~Jesus

(in Matthew 6:25-34)

What more can I say?

From my heart,

Diane