contentment

Read > Luke 12:22-24

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? (v. 25).

During spring and early summer, the fields in the English county of Cumbria are full of ewes with their lambs. In that setting, I recently witnessed a picture of contentment and trust. While boisterous lambs charged around, a seemingly oblivious ewe laid there with a curled-up and sleepy youngster perched on her back. The lamb’s trust and contentment brought to my mind the comfort and peace that we can enjoy while resting in our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Luke 12, we see Jesus exhorting His disciples not to be anxious, but to keep everything in perspective (vv. 22-23). He states that life is more than what we put on the inside or the outside of our bodies! Worrying about what to eat or wear won’t make a scrap of difference to our mortality, and it can be a sign of “little faith” (v. 28). It distracts us from the fact that God, in His grace and mercy, has provided what we need (vv. 29-30).

So how do we avoid the unnecessary worrying? By depending on God – His providence and provisions – and by seeking His kingdom (vv. 27-31). This last part may seem strange, since Jesus is talking to the disciples and they were already in the kingdom! But He’s making it plain that we should concentrate all our energies on the interests of that kingdom. This means being partners in extending it, rather than losing focus and getting all wound up about trivial things. Jesus reassures us that it’s the Father’s “great happiness” to give His disciples the kingdom (v. 32).

God gives us an eternal future with Him. Since we belong to Him, why should we worry or doubt that He cares about us in the present? Instead, let’s be like that curled-up lamb, trusting and being content in God. – Kevin Gregory

More >

·         Proverbs 3:5-6

·         Matthew 6:25-34

·         Philippians 4:6-7

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What areas of your life make you anxious? What can you do to better concentrate on God’s kingdom?