Lent Day 7: March 16

My thanks to our guest blogger, Mike Michaels, who shares his thoughts with us about what worrying about the future and about our possessions does to our relationship with God

Lenten Reflection for Day 7

Date: Wednesday March 16, 2011

Author: Mike Michaels

Bible Passage:

Matthew 6:33–34 (NRSV)

³³ But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Reflection:

My understanding of what Jesus is telling me in this part of the Sermon on the Mount is in two parts: First, that the pursuit of material “stuff” (which I’ve sometimes been so keen on stockpiling) is in direct competition for my time and energy with striving for God’s Kingdom. Second, that if I keep my focus on His Kingdom, then I need not spend a lot of our time, energy, or resources trying to second-guess the future and all the possible needs I may have tomorrow. I then become free to not only build my own spirituality, but to spend my time and energy helping others as well. (This has a really nice side-effect of making me feel a lot better than I do when I stockpile what I guess I’ll need in the future for material goods.)

With available material wealth and free time, I can easily be swayed from God’s Kingdom, and spend more time and energy than I need to just feed and clothe myself. I could work longer hours to make more money. I could save up for the future in any number of 401k accounts, CD’s, Treasury Bonds, and stocks that promise me a future free of financial worry, or perhaps a continued life of ease. But how does this show what is in my heart, when held up to the rule that Jesus gave us: “Do not be fooled; No one can serve two masters?” Putting the Kingdom First, Jesus said, would guarantee everything else would be taken care of by our Heavenly Father.

As a person with the same needs of all others (food, clothing, shelter for my family) as well as a sense that I am responsible for obtaining these things, I have sometimes become anxious over trying to plan for the month, then next month, even the year and decade ahead. There have been times when I felt overwhelmed, until I remembered Jesus’ words: “Seek first the Kingdom, and then all these other things you need will be provided for you.” God already knows what I need and has made plans to provide it for me. I only have to open up my heart and mind to this concept. Whenever I stop trying to do everything my own way and by myself, and step aside, I have always been permitted to witness the miracles by which God works, to take care of me. Just like He does for the flowers of the fields, and the birds of the skies.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for everything You have provided me. Please help me see where I need to stop over-doing my own planning, and accept that you know what I need. Help me to trust You to make things work out for the best, whatever they may be. Give me the guidance today to do the right things, according to Your will, and not my own. Finally, when I am confused as to Your plans, please help me to see that everything is going to be all right. In the name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.