SCRIPTURE: 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. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34 NIV
THOUGHT: It’s been a couple of years now, but Fred and I were taking a walk one day in a state park and saw a guy wearing a t-shirt proclaiming “proud pagan” in large print. Honestly, I was kind of shocked. I mean, even if you’re living like a pagan, you don’t usually call it that, nor brag about it for everyone to see. But the world is changing around us (in case you didn’t notice). People are overtly proud of what used to be shameful and headlines blaze with words that used to be unknown or kept to self. And yet, here we are, in the middle of it, Jesus saying, “do not worry about tomorrow” – that’s just how he described being pagan: Worrying about where the basics necessary to life will come from.
Worry is pagan because it assumes self as the source of work and money and power and housing and food and transportation and clothing. Faith is its antithesis because faith assumes a Father in heaven who knows we need resources. Faith is freedom from worry; a turning (aka repentance) toward the seeking of God and the ways that lead to life.
I wonder how much time would be freed up for our minds, hearts and hands if we sought God, not things? If we completely gave up worry and gave ourselves wholly to faith?
PRAYER: God, you have set me free from being a worry wart…but I wonder if I’ll ever fully embrace the gift? Trust you to provide, while I walk in the perfect peace you offer? I’d rather trade in all the worry for more time to seek your kingdom and your righteousness. Please help me make the choices that lead that direction!
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