(Jesus) said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~ Luke 12:22-34
You can't take it with you goes the old saying.
Except for one thing.
The Kingdom of God is for keeps.
It lasts.
It last longer than our possession. Longer than our worries.
It is greater than the beautiful things in our lives.
It sustains us longer than food or drink.
It is ours for the asking.
When I taught Confirmation years ago, I had the confirmands choose a bible verse for themselves. This was one that I saw chosen again and again.
There's a lot of anxiety there.
But even 8th graders knew that worrying won't heal anything. That there is something more permanent: something lasting that was theirs.
Something called the Kingdom of God.
Something they could count on.
Holy One, free me from my worries that I may fully know the peace of your Kingdom. Amen
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