journey onWord with us

In my devotional time last Saturday morning, I found myself reading Scripture with the purpose of writing. It was easy to look at how the principles would apply to those who would read my next post. And then it hit me. I was reading the passage wrong. The very words that I wanted to communicate to others had great relevance for my own life. As the new year began just a month ago, I determined that internally some changes would be good for me. Mentally I have sought to align myself with some Scripture verses and a good motto to help achieve my objective. As the year has begun to unfold, I find my internal changes to be a slow work in progress. If  I spend much time thinking about the pace of my progress, it is easy to become frustrated and anxious, which leads us back to the passage of Scripture that had such relevance to me.

Without a doubt you have heard references from Matthew chapter six on the issues of wealth and worry. As the chapter closes there are important words on money and worry that can be exceedingly helpful. However, far too many Christ-followers let the pursuit of wealth become a passion, while anxiety and worry become a lifestyle. And quite candidly, all of us are easily drawn to the thirst for more wealth, and the loss of internal rest and peace. Our personal battles with wealth and worry can be summarized in the level of trust we are willing to place upon the Father. When you and I are confidently seeking His will, and accepting His design, wealth takes its proper place and worry is minimized. As Matthew chapter six closes, accept these principles for your journey.

God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (These verses were taken from The Message, The Bible in Contemporary Language)

Memorizing and applying the above verses will dramatically change any life. Living with a proper perspective on God’s giving, rather than our getting is counter-intuitive. We seem to live for the getting, while forgetting that He can provide all we need. There is also a strong tendency in all of us to become consumed with what may or may not happen tomorrow. But aren’t our tomorrows in His hands? Of course they are! Focusing on today, and what God is doing right now will change us.

From a personal perspective, I must tell you that I have taught and written about the verses above. But last Saturday, I was convicted of their relevance for me, and my need for internal change. I struggle with being too driven to achieve (make a living), too focused on the getting, and therefore often anxious (worried) about what will happen tomorrow. I am great to teach and preach about the Giver, but often lose perspective of what He is doing right now (today). Can you relate?

We are all a work in progress. Giving full attention to what God is doing right now will cause wealth and worry to fade into the background. And we can fully expect the Giver to meet our needs. But it is our choice.