Matthew 6:26
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34 NIV
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you
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you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
This morning I was sitting on my back porch drinking my morning joe, playing some soft jazz and minding my own business when God showed up. No, not physically or even abruptly, but quietly in the calm of the morning. The birds were singing in the sky, the sun was up and gleaming, bugs were chirping, a distant cow was mooing, the breeze was blowing through the trees and, in the middle of it all, I heard the sweet music of God reminding me that He was and is always present.
As I listened to this song of God, I thought of today’s passage from Matthew, "
Look at the birds of the air..."
The birds I heard were peacefully enjoying their day, not a bit worried over the pandemic happening in our country, not at all worried about their portfolios or the price of oil, and not concerned about quantities of toilet paper or bottled water in the store. Not even a little. They were just enjoying their morning and singing their song to the Creator, to the One who holds it all together.
Friends, Jesus reminds us in the Gospel lesson above that He loves us far more than the birds of the air and flowers of the field. He reminds us that He is in control and He is not scratching His head wondering if our worries are going to result in a solution. He hasn’t fallen off His throne or thrown up His hands, but just the opposite. He is looking down at His creation smiling. He is fully aware of what will happen next. In fact, He says you will be okay; this situation will be okay. One day He will make all sad things come untrue, so relax, smile, get another cup of joe and listen to the His creation sing its peaceful lullaby.
A prayer for today:
Lord Jesus, help us to trust you with our worries today. Help us to believe 1 Peter 5:7 which says “cast all your worries on him because he cares for you.” Help us to take our eyes off ourselves and listen to Your gentle reminders through the world You have made and may we find peace in You. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
The Rev. Jonathan V. Adams
Associate for Pastoral Care and Outreach
