March 2nd - Reflection

Luke 12:22-31 (NRSV)
Do not worry

He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 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 can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry 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 clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Reflection
Look first for God's will and God's salvation. This is the advice Jesus gives. Don't join the rat race of worry and accumulation of things. These things cause us to lose focus on God. We begin to focus on the upkeep of the things and the addition of more things.

Yesterday Elijah trusted God and a bird brought Elijah food. The widow and Elijah trusted God and they were taken care of. The focus was on God not on the accumulation of more and more to eat, or clothes to wear.

Seek God's kingdom and set you focus on the accomplishment of the purpose God has planned for you. This alone more than fills a lifetime. This alone fills eternal life with God. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, help me to lay my worry aside. I know of your love, so deep, so awesome, that you took on my punishment and died in my place. I will never forget this act of love. Make my purpose this day clear that I may act out boldly in love towards you and towards others. --- Amen