God was speaking to me today about living open-handed. My son is really good at this - and a great example of believers when it comes to being generous and open handed with the 'things' he receives. I've never lacked for anything - God has constantly given me more than I need... and yet, I get worried about the future. I'm not sure why. Jesus spoke very clearly to me today from His word and it was Truth that pried open my hands and helped me to trust Him with everything (again). I'm thinking this needs to be a daily thing. I want to live with my hands open...
Matthew 6:25-34, "If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
4 comments:
I've taken that word for me today, Danielle.
Thanks!
Good word, Danielle. It's been an interesting week in Namibia - new opening for the Army - with a seminary of theology students talking about integrated mission. The conversation's been about how care - most authentically expressed by presence, rather than provision - always leads to change. One teammate expressed the thought that even in mission we should be slow to 'take stuff'(ie. full hands), but rather to go with open hands, trusting God to fill them with what is needed in that moment. Accompaniment trumps commodity every time!
As someone who recently returned from a fancy wedding in Beverly Hills I say, "AMEN!"
nice comments guys... great word from Namibia - I often wonder if it's especially hard to do in the 'land of plenty' or if it's a universal leftover of the 'fall' and just self sufficiency in general. all your thoughts are helpful - thanks.
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