“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:27, 31-34 NIV

My middle child likes to know things in advance. Surprises are not his cup of tea. He likes to know what is going to happen and when and if you are going to introduce something new, you ought to give him time to adjust to the idea of it all ahead of it actually happening. He’s getting better as he gets older. But I can totally relate to that desire.

I am not Mr. Spontaneous by any means, I like to weigh things out, to get a feel for them and see if it fits in the grand scheme of things. If I had to have a set schedule to run by for my day, every day, it wouldn’t bother me in the least. Just give me some free time every couple of days to recharge and I’m in good shape. But don’t worry, I’m getting better, too.

I used to be a big worrier. Even as a pre-teen and teenager I had problems and anxieties, most of them socially oriented, but others not as much. I’ve known I was going into ministry since 9th grade, and I didn’t want to do anything to compromise that. I worried that if I did anything overly stupid or risky that somehow future churches would see that or learn of it, and that it would be held against me. I worried about my reputation, and how I was perceived because of that, and have always been very conscious of how I treated others in this light.

Now, that’s not all bad. Knowing my calling kept me out of trouble, it guided my relationships and it has helped keep me accountable. But I also suffered undue stress and worry that God never intended or desired for me.

And then one day, I can’t tell you when, this passage from Matthew finally flipped a switch in my mind and heart. And, oh my, it was like a flood of relief to me. It helped me to let go, to drop worries and concerns and cares that had been dragging me down. It helped me see that I was relying too much on myself, and not resting in God. Now, teenage me wouldn’t have put it that way, but looking back, I see it this way.

Have I worried since then? Sure. But now I recognize worry for what it is, a lack of trust in the One whose will holds my atoms and electrons together without me even acknowledging it. It is a lack of faith in my Master who has already done the work that saves me. And so I have just cause for abandoning my worry and releasing my pride. I have found relief in Him from yet another self-imposed burden and I have learned trust inso many different ways.

He is faithful. Period.

And as Christians, this trust is a marker of our faith, and a sign of our hope. It is a big, neon sign that the world sees as it struggles and frets and they wonder how we can remain so calm and cool under pressure. Having an eternal perspective completely changes how we approach a day and look at setbacks. Knowing that our victories have been won removes the burden of the journey of life, because our Savior has already conquered death.

Do we still need to think things out ahead of time and make plans? Do we still pray that we do things ‘as The Lord wills?’ Sure. We must count the cost. This isn’t free license to live willy-nilly and be irresponsible. But it is free license to live. Freedom comes from trust. Faith brings along a deep and abiding joy that cannot be manufactured or faked. And for the dark and hopeless world around us, this freedom and joy stands as a bright testament to the goodness of God, something they don’t own in their hearts yet. And it is our blessed and sacred duty to GoLove them to Jesus Christ.

Oh, and don’t worry about how they are going to react to you. Jesus has that handled for is as well. Read the parable of the sower to see what the options will be and trust Him with the rest.