What Matters Most
JESUS SAID… to his disciples,
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
INSTEAD, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”
Luke 12:22-31
Are you anxious about your life? Jesus says, don’t be! These last weeks in the midst of this pandemic have been extremely different from any we have ever lived. The Spirit has whispered these lyrics in my heart and mind over and over. “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” We hear this biblical truth in Jesus’ words. His words are truth and as I look out my window and consider the birds and the flowers, I see that truly, God does feed and clothe them. Of how much more value are you than the birds, He asks! Do not be anxious about your life, He commands! Your Father knows your needs, He reminds.
God meets the needs of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15-16)
Jesus tells his disciples that life is more than food and the body more than clothing. He is pointing them to the heart of the matter as He always does. He desires that we live from the inside out. His instructions are, not to worry but instead, to seek His kingdom. How is the Kingdom of God defined in scripture? “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Our focus should not be on this physical life but on the spiritual life we will live forever. Your true life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3) It is referred to as the hidden person of the heart. (I Peter 3:4) Jesus tells us to stop worrying about the physical things in this temporal life. INSTEAD seek God’s Kingdom and the physical needs will be added.
Be encouraged by these words from Jesus about what matters most in these unique days. Seek His kingdom – righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. How do we do that? Be still before Him, acknowledge the truth that He is God. Ask Him to speak to your heart, to examine your heart as you read and meditate on His Word and listen for Him. Consider what He says to you about His kingdom and write it down. “For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.” (Luke 12:23)
Laura Christy