Winging It
Sometime recently, I heard a new twist on a well-known passage that I believe provides some food for thought. Most of the time, Matthew 6:25-30 is used as a very comforting scripture. After all, it starts with the words, “Do not be anxious about your life…” It goes on to remind us of God’s persistent care of things in nature, from the birds of the air, to beautiful lilies, to grass that is only good for a short time. Throughout is the concept that, if God cares so well for those things, won’t He care much more for us?
We love this passage as humans and we should! We should get comfort from these thoughts. However, here is the twist: The birds that God feeds still have to look for the worm or fly to where there is grain. And what about the lilies and the grass? If there aren’t some “painful” days of clearing out the undergrowth or wilted-down sections, they cease to be as beautiful.
God does care for us. He just doesn’t always do it in a way that we think is best. Sometimes the pruning is painful. Sometimes the search for sustenance ends with a worm – it provides nourishment but isn’t too tasty going down.
Two nights ago I was talking to my son, Luke, about sometimes feeling like no matter how hard I am trying to do what is right, it feels like I am doing something wrong in the process. He thought for a minute and said something like this: “Mom, I bet that’s how the apostles felt in that boat. They were trying to steer it, but they felt like they were failing. In the end He made it all right.”
Thank you, Luke, for reminding me that God is the One who provides what He knows is best. It is my job to trust … and sometimes swallow the worm.
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8
“…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…” 1 Peter 1:3
SIGN UP TO GET A LEGACY OF FAITH FOR FREE
AUTHOR: Amber Tatum
