Luke 12:22-34
Then turning to his disciples he said, “Don’t worry about whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. For life consists of far more than food and clothes. Look at the ravens—they don’t plant or harvest or have barns to store away their food, and yet they get along all right—for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!
“And besides, what’s the use of worrying? What good does it do? Will it add a single day to your life? Of course not! And if worry can’t even do such little things as that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
“Look at the lilies! They don’t toil and spin, and yet Solomon in all his glory was not robed as well as they are. And if God provides clothing for the flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, don’t you suppose that he will provide clothing for you, you doubters? And don’t worry about food—what to eat and drink; don’t worry at all that God will provide it for you. All mankind scratches for its daily bread, but your heavenly Father knows your needs. He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will fatten your purses in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no rips or holes in them. Your treasures there will never disappear; no thief can steal them; no moth can destroy them. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Last night, I sat outside after dinner and watched songbirds visit our feeders. I was hoping to get some good photographs, but apparently my presence spooked some of the smaller ones. I sat and waited…hoping that some would return. And over time, a few did start feeding again, including a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Soon, a smaller bird appeared near the feeder in a hickory tree. He had the same markings on his back as the two adult woodpeckers, but his head had just the faintest tinge of red.
It wasn’t long until one of the adult birds filled her beak with black sunflower seeds and flew to the tree. She worked and worked to crack one open – then she fed the younger bird. I cannot tell you how many times this was repeated, and I sat in awe of being able to observe – and film – this exchange.
This is one of my favorite passages of scripture. In the weeks before Greg and I married and I began attending college, we used this passage to guide several decisions – including a major change from one university to another and a “change of major” for Greg. Forty-eight years later, I can see how God was using this passage to orchestrate the details of our lives.
This morning as I read these verses from Matthew 12, I listened to a press conference conducted by law enforcement officers in Uvalde, Texas. The director of the Texas Department of Safety honestly admitted that mistakes were made…and now, twenty-two people are dead (I’m counting the husband of one of the teachers, who died of a heart attack yesterday). I thought about the mother bird feeding her baby. She was so attentive and careful…and God made her that way! The same God who cares so much for the birds is the God who is caring for you and me this day. Why did God allow those children and teachers to be shot and killed? Why are so many having to deal with the horror and heartache of this situation? I don’t know.
We cannot yet see what God is doing. But I know that He is with all of us. God wrapped those babies in His arms and welcomed them to His Kingdom. And God is wrapping His arms around us now. He is saying, “Come to me…lay your burdens and your worries at My feet. I will help you handle them.”
This is not the place to offer suggestions about how to stop these horrible situations. My intention is not to tell you what to think, but rather to encourage you to think – to pray and study God’s word and seek His will. I am terribly disappointed – even angry at times – with the attitudes and ideas of some people toward many situations in our world. Their selfishness and downright hatred stir feelings inside me that I truly have to call on God to squelch. And I remind myself that Jesus didn’t speak the words of this passage – or any other – for just me or a chosen few. Jesus did not die on the cross for only select persons who look and act a certain way.
Jesus lived, died, and rose again for every person…all of us! God created the heavens and the earth – and all who inhabit His universe. And He loves each of us unequivocally. Understandably, we find it hard to harbor loving thoughts toward a deranged shooter – or a selfish politician. We start to compartmentalize – and differentiate – and this is totally counter to what Jesus commanded.
Maybe we all need to sit outside and watch/listen to the birds and wildlife and see how they do things. They seem to go about their day without worry or care. Perhaps they have an innate trust in God to provide for their every need. Maybe they “sense” the constant care and comfort of Jesus Christ and rest on His promises.
Worry won’t bring back the lost children and teachers in Uvalde, Texas…or those killed in any other horrific event across our nation. Worry won’t solve the ongoing questions about what we need to do moving forward. Worry will not make our world safer. But I am convinced that God is still at work…that He will fix what we cannot. God’s arms are open wide, and He is waiting on us to return to Him – and cling to His promises and the words of Christ Jesus.
Seek the will and way of Jesus. Love one another and trust Him to take your love and transform it perfectly for each situation. And pray for all who are sick, suffering, and heartbroken. May we all feel the presence, power, and peace of God in the days to come. Amen!
©2022 Debbie Robus
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