It's Going to Be Okay

Scripture: Luke 12:22 – “He 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.’” (NRSVUE)

I must admit that I worry about things sometimes. My youngest son is heading to college in a few weeks, and I worry a lot about whether he will be able to get through classes without procrastinating or take care of himself. I worry about whether we will have enough money to pay for everything. And outside of my family life, there are lots of other concerning things in the news. I start worrying, but rather than panicking, I decide to turn to one of my favorite scriptures to get centered again.

In both the Gospel According to Matthew and the Gospel According to Luke, Jesus tells us not to worry. He reminds us that we all need food to eat and clothes to wear, but that worrying about if we have enough will make us miserable and pull us away from God. So, Jesus says, “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” So long as we work toward God’s Kingdom, by showing faith to God and charity to the world, the more likely it is that we, and so many other people, will have those physical needs taken care of. A little bit of sharing can go a long way.

These are words I need to hear. They remind me to take a step back and think about where God is in the big picture. Can I shape worldwide finances? No. Can I make sure my son does his homework? No. I need to realize there are just some things outside of my control, and worrying about them, no matter how important they are, will not bring me any closer to peace.

What I can do is to work to make my community a better place. I can share what I have with my neighbors, even if it is just a little bit of attention. I can volunteer. I can listen. I can pray. These won’t directly solve the big problems, but they will help advance the Kingdom of God, just like Jesus asks us to do.

When we do this instead of worrying, we calm our minds and we help others. What could be more holy than that?

I know I will need a few extra prayers in the weeks to come, but as long as I trust in God, I do not need to worry.

Prayer: Loving Lord, you give me all I ever need. Fill my heart with your love and inspire me to acts of kindness and righteousness. Amen.