"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." Matthew 6:31, 32.

I was able to find what I wrote the other day. I think this verse is important enough to look at it again!

This must have been a big problem for the people on that hillside hearing those words. I'd think that food, drink and clothing would be acceptable things to legitimately worry about. Not according to Christ, in fact, he makes a pretty shocking statement... He tells them that this behavior is what the (ready for this?) PAGANS do! Talk about making a point! That's like telling me that if I cry when I hit my thumb with a hammer, I'm a sissy! No way I'd cry then! I don't care how much it hurt.

But then Christ makes a simple statement that brings it home, "your heavenly Father knows that you need them". And that's pretty much the end of the discussion. It strikes me odd that so much is being said in that one phrase. I think of the statement Christ made about prayer... God knows what I need before I even say it. It speaks to the issue of trust... He'll meet my every need. But more than anything, it talks to me about love.

I have a picture of my Grand-nephew, Chase, at Christmas. He had just been given a set of golf clubs for Christmas and he had just strapped the bag on his back. He is standing there next to his Pappaw and looking up at him with such pride and adoration. He was just like his Pappaw! What a moment.

I need to be like Chase. I need to recognize that everything I receive is from my heavenly Father. I need to reflect His love and look up at him in a way that people have no doubt that I'm proud to have God as my father... And I'm just like Him.

Father, you give me so much. You meet my every need. You love me so much. You've brought wonderful people into my life, you provide for my every need and nearly all of my wants. You even give me more than I want. And I want to take a moment to thank you. Don't let me act like a Pagan... Running after earthly treasures. I need your Spirit to help me keep my lust for material things in check. Thank you for loving me.
- posted by Steve R. @ 8:51 AM

 
"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." Matthew 6:31,32

God must have a reason for me to look at this again... My post yesterday never made it to the blog, so I'm looking at this passage again.

When thinking about the audience on that day near the Sea of Galilee, I can understand why Christ would keep continue to hammer this subject. They had little income and most of their time was spent just trying to survive. Throw on top of that an oppressive tax system... And I would probably worry, too.

Christ makes a huge comparison here that ties many of the comments he has made in this discourse. He says, "For the Pagans run after all these things...." This single statement points out how different I am to be from the world. From the beatitudes, to his statements about what historically had been the common practice in the church, to how I look at material things, Christ is pointing out how as a follower I am to be different from the world. I am to be different in thought, word, and action. I'm afraid I don't measure up like I should... There are a lot of areas where I haven't made it yet.

The second part of this sentence is simple but says so much... "and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." As a parent, would I ever prevent my child from eating... Never. Oh, I forgot, there were some times I did send the kids to bed without their supper as a punishment... But I would never starve them to death. Choke, maybe... But not starve! I was fond of saying about my now adult daughter that she was a good example of why animals in the wild eat their young. She was a huge challenge (and she admits it). But I still love her. I know that I'm a huge challenge to God, but He still loves me! Would I ever send my kids to school naked? Never. They may not be wearing Tommy, or CZ... But they would have clothes. My kids trusted me to provide housing, food and clothing... And I always did. God has promised to take care of me, too.

So, pure and simple... This is a verse about trust and God's love for me.

Father, I don't trust you nearly enough. I know you don't expect me to be sitting around waiting for a handout... Proverbs gives me a pretty good picture that you expect me to work hard... But the reality is that you alone ultimately provide for my physical needs. I want to trust you more. I want to believe you more. I want to be more of you. Thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for loving me.
- posted by Steve R. @ 9:45 AM

 
My post for today got lost in the internet! I'll have to try again tomorrow... what a shame, I had some of my best thoughts, too... But then, you knew that, didn't you, Dad? In any case, Father, you know that I get frustrated and upset with this technology at times. Thank you for loving me... even when I'm not very loveable... like right after an hour's typing is relegated to random electrons travelling around the world through millions of miles of wiring. I'll talk with you again in the morning.
- posted by Steve R. @ 9:27 AM

 
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies 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, O you of little faith? Matthew 6:28-30

I'm back on the road again, and if you recall the purpose of my blog was to allow me to share devotions with my wife while away from home. I'm beginning to realize that my family has grown through the writing of this blog... So I'm thinking that when home, I may want to continue to write. I'm in Oregon this week, and will be home on Sunday, then leave again for San Francisco for two weeks. After that, the schedule is a bit up in the air... Anyway to the thought at hand.

I've been looking at the Sermon on the Mount a verse at a time for the most part, but the next couple of sections have to be considered in blocks... Just makes more sense. After all I don't think Christ stopped to say, 28.... 29..... 30. I love sitting down and just reading the Scriptures without considering the numbers... Even those big ones like 6 and 7. Here's a challenge, read or listen to these three chapters in one sitting (out loud is preferable) and I think the impact will be pretty awesome. Another one that really changes when I take out those big numbers is John 13 and 14. Read through the chapter break, and "Let not your heart be troubled" becomes hope for Peter who is about to really mess up in his Christian walk... Not for use as a funeral sermon. I sure need that promise a lot. And that brings me to these verses.

After landing in Portland yesterday, there was a thirty minute drive to the hotel from the airport. The scenery was breathtaking. Mt. Rainier was visible in all it's glory as the morning sun played off it's snowcapped peak. Then as we came into the town of Tigard, there were more parking lots, strip malls and businesses. Then it happened. We passed an empty lot that was just full of spring wild flowers. In reality they were probably a mixture of weeds and flowers, but it was beautiful none-the-less. Then this verse came to mind. I had the cab driver stop the cab and I got out and walked through this lot for a moment meditating on this verse.

This verse is more than about the random beauty of the hillside for me. It's really about trust and faith. I think a week or so ago Steve D. mentioned that this whole passage is about trust... And he is so right. The reason I'm in Oregon is to find out what my role is going to be in our new company (my old company was bought out a couple of months ago). There is a bit of anx connected with this trip. I'm slated for training next week on the new product lines. I will have to get out of my comfort zone and learn new skills. I don't know if I will be as good as a consultant on the new line as I am the old one... After all, I've had four years of experience there. But the good news is that I'll have new skills that will make me more marketable.

I'm wondering if God doesn't put stress in my life at times so that I have opportunities to grow. That by putting a patch of weeds in my sight, I can understand that God is the one in control, and that I have two choices... Spend my time worrying -- and that has absolutely zero payback... Or to trust Him -- and that has a 100% guarantee! He gives me a lot of object lessons everywhere I look... Even those pesky dandelions look pretty good today.

Father, so many times I allow the world to put blinders on me. But, just for today, take the burden of concern from my shoulders and allow me to simply to trust your Word, and trust you. Allow me to convert my love for you into childlike faithfulness. Allow me to lean on you in times of worry. Open my eyes to what is important to you and the building of your kingdom... Not to my petty thoughts and worries. Thank you for reminding me that I need to trust you more. Thank you for putting that empty lot in my path as an object lesson of your love for me.
- posted by Steve R. @ 8:39 AM