Look at the Birds of the Air (Matthew 6:25-27)
Written by: Naomi Middleton
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life.”
This past year was really stretching. We added a second child (Gavin) to our family. Brayden was going through a lot of toddler struggles (i.e. wanting to exercise his own will). And my husband (Caleb) changed jobs. It was all good stuff. However, there were many times this past year that there were circumstances that we had no control over. As we walked though these new challenges, there were many days that I felt extremely overwhelmed and anxious.
It was about half way through the year, that I was reading Matthew 6:25-27. For some reason (maybe because of the season of life we were journeying through), this passage really spoke to me. It would come to my mind many times throughout the day. As I read this passage over and over, I started to understand why worry is so harmful. Why worry is so anti-gospel.
We Were Created to Depend on God
Depending on God doesn’t come natural to us. We want to be in control. However, just like the birds are completely dependent on the natural system that God created them to live within, we were created to be completely depended on God. Dependence doesn’t look like just asking God for help when you need it. Its trusting him with every moment (good and bad).
Worry is Self-dependence Rearing it’s Ugly Head
When we start to worry, it is often because we are trying to rely on our abilities instead of God’s. When things start to feel out of control, instead of running to God we often try and dig deeper into our own abilities. We create safety nets and security blankets to protect us from the unexpected. We try and balance everything perfectly so that nothing takes us by surprise or overwhelms us. And when we do start to worry we try to make it seem holy or justified by calling it our concerns or burdens. Worry is more than just an unconformable emotional state. At its core, worry is often our self-dependence rearing it’s ugly head.
Dependance Is a Daily Choice
Everyday we are faced with the choice to depend on ourselves or on God. It is easy to look at circumstances and situations that are out of our control as bad. However, not only do these situations give us opportunities to trust on God, but God also often uses them to provide for us. When we choice to trust God instead of worry, our faith is built and our joy is increased.