do not worry


A Pilgrimage to the Cross

Walking through Lent with Jesus

Wednesday 23rd   March

What is on your mind today?
What thoughts preoccupy you?

And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

                                                               Luke 12: 29-32

Some of us worry about money, others about our weight or our health, our children or our parents, our job or the state of our house. And sometimes, when we become a Christian, we add a whole new set of worries- I haven’t found time to pray today, I was too afraid to witness to my neighbour, I shouted at my kids instead of being patient and kind. ‘Striving for the kingdom’ sounds a lot like hard work, that just adds to our stress levels.

Maybe Jesus saw the expression on the faces of his listeners as he said this- or maybe he just knows us so well. Because listen to his next words:
‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.’

Rest in those words today.
Lean back into the truth that God is our Father- not our taskmaster, our boss, our interrogator.
And hear the amazing fact that He has given us the kingdom- a gift is not earned, not deserved, a gift is motivated by love and expects nothing.

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