Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Big City Lights

As I walked around the big city last weekend, I took in the sights and sounds, smells and textures. There was hustle and bustle with fans headed to the stadium to watch the Cardinals play. There were tourists with cameras capturing memories. But I soon caught glimpses of children running and laughing under the Gateway Arch. Then, across the way we saw a flower garden with fountains. I was most amused with a couple dozen birds playing, flipping, and frolicking in the overspray from fountains that puddled on the sidewalk. I snapped a picture with my iPhone, not wanting to forget the moment. 
 
My thoughts were taken to the birds that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?" (Amplified Bible)
 
Those birds weren't looking around wondering where the next worm would come from, or thinking themselves into an anxious frenzy. They could be here today and gone tomorrow. Yet they lived for the moment, enjoying the simple delight of fellowship and cool water. 
 
In context, the verse is even better understood. It is between these 2 verses that beautifully tie the message together into a life-transforming gift that will ease the heart and mind of the constant worrier..."Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?" (vs. 25) "And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life?" (vs. 27)
 
Jesus knew what we would face, so He left us with His gift of peace. He knew what concerns would bother us and He prepared us with His example and the answer to bringing all this together: "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides." (Matthew 6:33)
 
 
 
 
 

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