“In times of volatility and uncertainty one finds a persistent invitation into a life of self-reflection and change.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 7, 2022
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:31-34. ESV
According to the headlines, things are bad and only getting worse. Interest rates, inflation, rapidly declining stock values, possible recession, supply chain issues, global unrest and violence. The list goes on and on! Five minutes a day on a Twitter feed or news app is all it takes to foster a spirit of fear and anxiety that stays with you for the entire day.
As I see it, the one great challenge with this approach is there’s no end in sight to these headlines. While they are written to convince you that peace and prosperity are just around the corner, as long as we get a few key decisions right, this is in fact a pure illusion. The headline issues mentioned above, though current today, could just as easily have been written multiple times over the past decades.
Volatility and uncertainty are givens in our world. There is no escaping them or their impact on our lives and society. And yet, within them one finds a persistent invitation into a life of self-reflection and change. Ask yourself this question today, “When storms arise, where do I first turn for safety?” Is your gut impulse to seek the Lord in prayer, or to reallocate assets? Do you and I recenter our hearts and minds in the truth of God’s word, or do we polish up our resumes and build our networks on LinkedIn?
Of course, these actions are not inherently evil, and may be wise moves to make, yet do not miss the heart of the matter. In times of need or when you feel vulnerable and exposed, do you seek first the nearness of God and the life of the Spirit, trusting that he loves you and has promised to meet your every need, or do you anxiously toil, rushing headlong into the fear and scarcity mindset that fuels our world and animates our passions?
Today, take a deep breath and look around you. Who are the people that the Lord has placed in your path today? What meetings do you have that present an invitation to listen to and respect someone else’s story? Who will you share a meal with, and how can you be fully present to them in body and soul? What concerns and challenges does this day present, and how has the Lord equipped you to meet these challenges with wisdom, courage, and trust?
This is plenty to navigate for a single day. Or, as our Lord says, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). Tomorrow will be here before we know it, yet today is at hand and inviting us to live fully alive in the present.
Prayer
Father, you know our needs before we ask and care for us perfectly. Free my heart from anxiety, and let me rest in the gift of your protection and love, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
In what ways has your concern about the future blinded you to the invitations and opportunities to love and serve in the present?
Related Reading
Isaiah 35:4; Philippians 4:6; 1 John 4:18
Worship Resource
Pat Barrett: Be Still My Soul
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