[duh.]
Consequently, I have spent a lot of time reading Jesus' words about not worrying (Matthew 6 and Luke 12). However, the other day, these words hit me in a new way. I had always read the words
"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."
as speaking to those really poor people who don't have an assurance of their next meal, or confidence of warm clothes come winter. Like, only those people without, would worry about food and clothes.
Well.
God showed me that EVERY single one of us falls into worry about food and clothes (i.e. everyday life!). We can be consumed with wearing the right clothes. We can focus all our time on eating the right foods. We can obsess over restaurants, fashion, and all manner of material comparisons to prove we're all right. In other words: the very wealthy, the semi-wealthy, the middle, the poor - ALL can put too much emphasis upon what we eat and wear and do with our daily lives.
This has really opened up a whole new way to read these passages. Perhaps all of ya'll have always read it this way. Not sure. But, I know that in my own life, and in the conversations I have with those around me, I now see a whole new way in which we concern ourselves with the very things Jesus says not to.
"Can I eat/wear/buy ______ without being made fun of?"
"I just HAVE to have ______!"
"And then [food conversation], and then [stuff conversation], and then [food conversation], and then...."
"If my house/body doesn't look like _____ life is over."
Perhaps you don't speak or think as dramatically, but I challenge you to take a look at the amount of time and energy you do spend thinking about things like food and clothes. Is it just for normal/quiet living, or do you live for the next outfit? the next meal? the next toy? Do you get anxious when they are lacking? Does your worth and confidence and joy waver when ordinary life doesn't provide to the level of your neighbor?
I'm sure thinking a lot more about this now, that's for sure.... I hope you join me :)
What are YOU consumed by?
Not sure if you know, but Francis Chan was on Focus on the Family yesterday and today, in a 2 Part series called "A Selfless Pursuit of God" (links at bottom of post). Each segment is just under 30 minutes, but some of what he talks about is somewhat related to your post.
ReplyDeleteTwo things really stood out to me. First, in part 1, Francis says something along the lines of "Some people would just love to raid through our trash." This "stuff" that we try to fill our lives with, once the temporary satisfaction wears off, we just toss it out.
The second, in part 2, was in the Q&A. She asked Francis, someone who is considered "successful" pastor/evangelist/author etc., how Francis defines success. Francis answered how you'd expect, but raised a good point that our view of success is most times not measured in the same way that God may measure success.
Anyway, here are the links:
Part 1: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/radio.aspx?ID={4CD4E129-EAD4-44F5-9CEA-83B92CAAD9F8}
Part 2: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/radio.aspx?ID={F3E1272B-7E85-4C2A-8718-5AD3AAEB889D}
Kevin, thank you so much for your comments, info, and links! I'm really being challenged by Chan, so thank you for more on him. Erasing Hell is kicking my butt too.
ReplyDelete