PRIORITIES

We live in a world where it is very easy to get distracted. When we get distracted we begin to worry about the wrong things. Unfortunately, worrying about the wrong things does not make life better, it makes it more difficult.

Jesus, when teaching his disciples says, "Do not be anxious about life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on" (Luke 12:22). Jesus proceeds to draw a couple of illustrations from nature. He asks the disciples when they have ever seen a raven plant a field or harvest a crop. He reminds them that these birds have no storehouse or barn, yet God feeds them. Jesus then turns his attention to the flowers of the field. Obviously, flowers cannot labor or sew. Yet, Solomon in all of his glory was not even arrayed like one of these. In the course of this teaching, Jesus reminds the disciples that they are of far more value than the bird of the air. Additionally, if God takes care of flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, how much more will He take care of us.

There are several key comments made by Jesus that we need to give our attention to. First, Jesus asks, "Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" (Luke 12:25). Second, Jesus tells the disciples that they have "little faith" (Luke 12:28). And finally, Jesus tells the disciples, "Seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you" (Luke 12:31).

Hear the gracious call of Christ. You cannot do anything to add days to your life, thus you cannot control the number of days you are given. Be a person of faith. Instead of worrying about food, clothes, and all the other burdens of life, pursue the Kingdom of God. This gracious call of Christ is not a call to shift the focus of our worry, but a call to freedom from worry.