“Don’t worry. God will provide.”
Ever heard that? Ever felt unworthy of that? Ever felt beaten down by the fact that you fail at that?
I have.
If I’m honest, I have to admit that throughout the various ups and downs of my life, I’ve been saddled with this particular phrase more than once. And more than once I’ve felt like a complete and utter failure at my inability to carry out such a simple command.
Don’t worry. God will provide.
But what does that mean, exactly? I think we can all admit that it is almost impossible not to worry when money’s tight, bills are due, and there’s not a whole lot of hope in sight. I would say that most of us can also agree that our time spent worrying is mostly worthless toil. But is it realistic for us to expect that we can reach a point in our lives where we don’t worry at all? Is that what Jesus is saying in Luke? Is he saying to just throw our hands up, sit back, relax, and take it easy since God will provide? Is that what it looks like not to worry?
I don’t think that’s what Jesus had in mind.
Just before He makes this statement in Luke 12, Jesus lays out some of the creatures that God takes care of on a daily basis. One of these is the Raven. It becomes interesting in this explanation that Jesus never says that the raven sits back in his prefabricated nest and waits for the worms to crawl into his nest. He never paints the birds in a way that would assume that there is no work involved in their provision. In fact, we know very well that birds toil all day, looking for worms, carrying them back and forth to their nests. God has provided. The birds instinctively know this. Yet they still have to go and get the provision. They have work to do. They must respond.
So do you and I.
When Jesus confidently tells us that God will provide, He doesn’t ever say that He is implying that we drop everything, sit back and wait for God to work everything out. Instead, He draws up pictures and stories that convey partnership. The provision is there. The way is available. But there is a response on our part.
Worry does not come when we understand that God has made a way. But that way is revealed only as we seek Him. As our understanding becomes clear, the provision He has given comes into focus. But it starts with seeking His will. Seeking His way. After that, our response to Him is all that matters. When our sight is fixed on Him, we begin to learn what it is to depend completely on the Father for our needs.
So, press on. Keep fixed on the Father. Root yourself in Jesus and His ways, and God will work out the rest.
..:: Robby Payne ::..
