Living the Journey

Matthew 6:25-34 comes to mind as we think about not having fear or worry. Jesus says for us to “take no thought for your life” and goes on to talk about our food, clothing, etc. – the things of this world that affect us and that we tend to worry about. What do you worry about the most? What are you afraid of? What concerns you? (fitting in, the future, school, job, death, good-byes). In the Greek, the word “thought” is μεριμνάω (merimnaō) and means to be anxious about, to be distracted by, care, concern. The Amplified puts it this way- stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life!

This same Greek word is used in Luke 10:38-42, when Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things” What caused Martha to explode in front of Jesus? What causes us to react so strongly to our family or friends? (expectations of others, lack of gratefulness, pride, wanting praise, focus is on self – wanting to be noticed, thinking only of what others are thinking of me). Mary didn’t want to miss out on the presence of Christ. She sat at His feet. She did the one thing that was needful. What distracts us from listening to Jesus? (sleep, school, working out, music, being too busy, sin… the WORLD is anything that alienates you from God) How can you remove these distractions, or, should you change your list of priorities? (choose to get up early, choose to spend extra time in the Word, pray, memorize His Word). What’s most important to you? Would others agree as they observe your life? Don’t waste  moments.

~ Side note: Enthusiasm is God in us. Think of a tea kettle. When you’re boiling/in the midst of difficulty, what kind of whistle do you give? My life is to shout the existence of God (so that others say, God must be in her!). Let’s pray for this! May we respond under the control of the Holy Spirit!

The same Greek word is used in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon Him.” The Amplified put it this way, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him. Here’s what we can do with these troubles and worries. Take them to the Lord in prayer. You can come to Him anytime, anywhere! Prayer is taking your mind and focusing it on God, and then re-focusing! Pour out your heart to Jesus (Psalm 62:8). Phil. 4:6, Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours].

And here’s the amazing part – the second part of the verse, “for He careth for you.” Amplified, He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. This word for care is μέλει (melei) and means to take interest, to care; concern; it matters. How greatly we are loved! Preach this to yourself: He cares for me. What matters to me matters to Him. Remember Romans 8:28 and the promise that if it’s not going to work for good (that’s God’s goal), He wouldn’t have allowed it. He is good. The safest place for us is right in the middle of God’s will.

~Side note: protection and the Umbrella analogy – you don’t hold the umbrella, only God does! to the degree you let Him hold the umbrella, you will have peace. we cannot be in control! be yielded to His authority. peace comes with authority. Christ is our peace.

Here’s just another way how this Greek word is used. 1 Corinthians 7:32, 34 “He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord… The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit.” In a positive way, we are to care and be concerned about the things of God, how we can please God, how we can pursue holiness and be wholly separated to Him. Where are your concerns centered? Do you even care about the things of God? Ask God to help you desire and love Him more.

Waiting on the Lord- think of Jesus and His example of waiting. He was peaceful in the wait. He waited thousands of years to become flesh and dwell among us. He waited 30 years to begin His earthly ministry. He waited until Lazarus was cold and decaying before He raised him from the dead. We must learn to wait as He does. What profit is there in the wait? Isaiah 64:4, He acts for those who wait for Him.

“Impatience accomplishes nothing except to shatter your peace”- Elisabeth Elliot. Put yourself completely in His hands. His timing is right. Isaiah 40:31, But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Are we assured that we are safe in the hands that hold the stars? Can we wholeheartedly surrender to God, leaving quietly with Him all of our ‘what ifs’ and ‘but what abouts’? ALL can rest quietly in His very capable hands. ~Elisabeth Elliot

~ Jennifer Lavin

 Email This Post

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 13th, 2010 at 3:42 pm and is filed under Inspirational Insights. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.