Turn Your Wearied Worried Road Into a Clear Cut Path

During this significant time in history, it would be easy to be worried, anxious, or fearful. Many of us could give legitimate reasons as to why we would feel this way: worldwide sickness and death, over 16 million Americans unemployed, or fear of the unknown as we move forward. Is it possible then, to have peace in the midst of these trying days? 

Jesus offers us something seemingly absurd during times like these. We see the words of Jesus in Luke 12:22-32

22 Then 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. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Many things can be said through these passages of Scripture, but let us focus on these specifically that we briefly touched on in the Youtube video: trust, peace, and living in God’s kingdom. 

Peace

Sometimes things are said that are not said. In this case of Luke 12:22-32, Jesus does not specifically speak of peace (as he does in John 14:27); however, he does imply that the antithesis of worry is peace throughout this passage. Masterfully so, Jesus illustrates this by contrast: God’s creation vs. worrisome work. This may help visualize: 

God’s Creation		Worrisome Work
Ravens	God feeds them	We worry	Doesn’t add to life
Wild flowers	God “clothes” them	Pagan world	Sets heart on food/drink

This contrast is meant to illustrate: 1) God’s creation lives on God’s provision, and 2) living outside of God’s intent for creation leads to worrisome work and a lack of peace. Jesus asks, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Lk 12:25). Jesus is showing us that the way of the “pagan,” or those without faith, does not work; rather, it only leads to worry. Has worrying about money ever gotten you more money? 

Jesus’ intent in this passage is that we would live as his creation; therefore, living in his peace. This is driven home throughout as Jesus says, “how much more valuable you are than birds… not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these [flowers]… how much more will he clothe you” (Lk 12:24, 27, 28), and again in the last two versus, “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Lk 12:31-32). The first principle—God’s creation lives on God’s provision—is seen here. We are children of God, in Christ; therefore, we have the kingdom at our disposal. Moreover, our heavenly Father is pleased to give us the kingdom. It’s not that he’s just giving us table scraps, he is giving us access to the entire kingdom! I’m not saying that a buffet awaits us, but I am saying that we should understand that the Father is pleasantly offering us access to his kingdom. In that kingdom we have his provision and his peace. 

The adverse of this image is worry. It makes logical sense that the “pagans,” or those without faith in God would worry, because they have only themselves, or karma, or whatever to bring about their needs. The pagan’s life is set on food and drink (Lk 12:29-30), but what happens when those things run out? Worry begins to build and the discovery that a life outside of God is no life at all is made. 

Truth is there are Christian pagans (I know because I’ve been one). Christians who know what it’s like to be a child of God and have the heavenly Father’s love, but do not trust him enough to let him provide for them. This is the person who struggles with worrisome work, a burdening labor of striving for provision instead of trusting God as the raven or flower would for the needs and resources of life. This type of person will do almost anything for God, except trust him. 

Trusting God

Those who struggle and strive in worrisome work constantly look here and there, to and fro, for any type of direction or promise of provision and productivity. They have no set path, no clear direction, just “food and drink” as the end goal. They do not trust God enough to let go and follow the path that God has set before them. Proverbs 3:5-6 illustrates what is lacking, 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Another contrast is made between Luke 12 and Proverbs 3: the pagan whose heart seeks food and drink, and the one who trusts God with all their heart and their path is made straight. The results of each are far different. Once the pagan’s food/drink run out what do they have? Nothing. However, what does the one who trusts in God with all their heart have? A continual path that is sustained through any world pandemic, unemployment rate, or death toll (Jer 17:7-8). 

If we are to live as the raven or the flower (i.e. God’s creation/children), then we will live in God’s kingdom. Jesus sets a clear path in Luke 12 for those who are in the kingdom: be God’s creation, and God will care for his creation. The passages in Proverbs further illustrates that if we trust God, he will make our paths straight. Luke 12 describes thekingdom and Proverbs 3 tells us how to walk in that kingdom. Our compass on the “kingdom path” is trust; as we trust in God he will make our paths straight. 

So What

We believe that God desires to accomplish many things in this season. With the many things happening in this season, we firmly believe that God wants to accomplish four things in the body of Christ: 1) revelation that life is more than what we can make it and that God is offering us his kingdom, 2) we should forsake worry and worrisome work; it leads to nothing, 3) begin to trust God and see how he transforms your life, and 4) accept the peace of God into your life and learn what it means to have peace beyond understanding.