My 2016 Lenten Journey--Day 17

February 26, 2016 ~ Day 17

My 2016 Lenten Journey: Exploring the Gospels to discover what following Jesus and becoming more like him would look like? ‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32 NRSV).

Matthew: 6:25-34 ~ Today’s teaching is about worry. It’s a waste of time. Easy to say, right?

The passage, possible one of the most familiar of Jesus’ sayings, summarizes and concludes a longer discourse about priorities and motivations. And who can quarrel with the conclusions? Armani suits and Givenchy gowns can’t hold a candle to the lilies of the field!

We humans have made—and continue to make—life much more complicated than I think it ever was intended to be. Our economics, based on credit, hang around our necks like Silas Marner’s albatross; our schedules and calendars are spinning out of control, hurtling too many of us toward mental and emotional crashes! Our need for status and our insane win-at-all-costs competitiveness drive wedges of division between even the closest of friends.

And in the midst of the madness comes these words: “Don’t worry.” Incredible.

And the words continue: “consider the lilies… consider the sparrows… stop and smell the roses (or the coffee).” Unbelievable!

And then the passage ends, “Instead, the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Do I really believe that?

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father (John 14:9 NRSV)

‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32 NRSV).

That's the way it looks through the flawed glass that is my world view.

Together in the Walk,

Jim