Matthew 6:31-34
Thoughts from Amanda Cook
Dive Deeper
Behind the Scenes
It’s part of human nature to worry and plan. We are all control freaks at the core. We hate feeling like there are portions of our lives that are out of our control, unknown, or scary. We love predictability, control, and being in the driver’s seat. We love seeing our efforts come to a satisfying conclusion.
But the reality of life is that we don’t always get to have it our way, and the illusion of control always robs us of the peace we so eagerly desire. At the end of the day, no matter how hard you and I try, we can never control everything. We can never see what tomorrow brings.
In this passage, Jesus is speaking to this struggle. He is addressing a generation of people who lived with uncertainty around every corner. Ruled by and oppressed by the Roman authority over them, the first century Hebrew people lived every day hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. So frustrating were their circumstances, that they dreamed of a redeemer who would throw off Roman rule and establish His physical kingdom where they could enjoy prosperity and security.
But Jesus had a bigger plan than they even understood. Where they wanted physical security, Jesus came to show them eternal security. Where they were worried about tomorrow, Jesus called them to live in His provisions for today. Where they had learned to trust only themselves, Jesus called them to relinquish control and trust Him instead.
Make it Real
You and I are not much different from a first century Hebrew. Sure, our circumstances are different, but the heart issues are the same. We live in a culture, like they did, that tells you that “if you want something done right, you’d better do it yourself.” We are faced with trials and struggles that challenge our sense of security and control. We strive and we work, hoping that all our efforts will amount to the goals and dreams we long to achieve.
And in the same way, the message Jesus taught to them is just as important for us too. See, at the end of the day, the only thing our worrying does is cause us to doubt the goodness and provision of God. Our striving for self-sufficiency pulls us away from the God who is all-sufficient. Our “eagerly seeking” as this verse puts it, causes us to seek the things of this world instead of the God who created them.
When we worry, we waste our lives. But when we turn to God, seek HIS kingdom over our own, and trust in His perfect provision and perfect timing, we find that He meets us in our need. He fills our hearts and feeds our souls. And where the provisions of this world will always run out, waste away, or rot, the heavenly provisions of Jesus will never run dry, never go bad, and never come up short. When He is all we have, we have everything we need.
Crystal Garnett
ACF Digital Discipleship Team Lead
End in Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I bring to you my fears, my wants, my struggles, and my worries. I trust You with them. I believe that You are bigger than anything I could ever need or want. I believe Your plans for me are better than I could ever imagine. Thank You for giving me Your provisions that never run dry and always leave me satisfied. I pray today You would help me to trust You more and worry less. Help me to know deep down that You’ve got me, and I am fully secure in Your arms.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen