Absolutely Alive: No need for “What if” - 23 July 2024

“Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you cannot change. Prayer is conversation you have with God about things he can change.” This was one of the pearls doing the rounds on social media recently, which aptly identifies a conundrum we sometimes face – that of choosing to imprison ourselves in worry about something, knowing full well that we can do nothing about it, rather than going straight to God to talk over our concern with him, who can.

In our verse today, Jesus addresses the subject of worry in his Sermon on the Mount, where he identifies the things that we most worry about: money, food and clothing, (Matthew 6:24-26) all things that are good and necessary in themselves, but which we turn into fixation (idolatry?) when we’re not focused on our true priority. He explains that if we busy ourselves with living the kingdom lifestyle that he describes in this sermon, finding our relationship with God, and living according to his values, he will provide these other things, too, allowing us to live untroubled lives, free to focus on the things that count.

To encourage them further, Jesus broadens the perspective and turns the focus to God: “Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it?” (Matthew 6:27, GNT) “Your Father in heaven knows that you need these things … So do not worry about tomorrow …There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.” (Matthew 6:32b,34, GNT)

What Jesus meant was that we never know what we’ll wake up to each day, or what it will hold, but it’s a happy person who takes him at his word and lives trusting in what we do know about God and his provision for all.

Paul knew about such days. He’d suffered extreme hardship and persecution as he preached the Gospel in the different territories where the Spirit led him – enduring whippings, imprisonment, thirty-nine lashes; he was stoned, in three shipwrecks, twenty-four hours in the water, and experienced even more as he cared for the growing church – (Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-33) – yet he remained strong and steadfast because he knew Christ’s intense power in him during those tough times.

What Jesus later said to him about his “thorn in [the] flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7) applied: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Paul’s mantra became, “For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Instead of floundering, Paul grew stronger. Prison became a place from where to send letters to actively support the new church, to sing praises, and experience miracles; (Acts 16:25-26) and cheerfully encourage the young Timothy: “I give thanks to God, whom I serve with a clear conscience … as I remember you always in my prayers night and day.” (2 Timothy 1:3, GNT)

Which prison are we in today? Where does our focus lie? What will our song be?

Prayer: Gracious Father, thank you for all that you provide for me daily. May I grow increasingly in love and appreciation of you and your faithfulness in my life. Amen