Seek First the Kingdom

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Scripture: Luke 12:22-38

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. Read more…

Looking to Sunday

by Elaine Poproski

It was summer. I was a teenager. Tom Cruise sparkled in the movie, Cocktail. And the song, Don’t Worry, Be Happy, topped the charts. It’s a catchy song, written by Bobby McFerrin. You might be humming it in your head right now. These are the opening lyrics:

Here’s a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don’t worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don’t worry, be happy.

As the song progresses, we’re presented with a couple worrisome scenarios, each of which is followed by the tagline, Don’t worry, be happy.

Ain’t got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don’t worry, be happy
The landlord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don’t worry, be happy.

It’s kind of a ridiculous song. But it’s catchy and happy, with just enough island swagger that the repeated command not to worry, but to instead be happy, seems like it should be easy. But have you ever tried to just not worry? Have you ever tried to will your worries away? It’s not easy, is it? It’s not a simple choice to replace worry with happiness.

In Luke 12:22-23, Jesus says 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. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.”

When I read those words, I feel like Jesus should have been whistling and singing; his words sound a lot like Bobby McFerrin’s lyrics. And as appealing as they sound, they sound just as impossible. But Jesus wasn’t writing a catchy summer tune, he was speaking eternal truth. Jesus understood that worry and anxiety can’t just be wished away; they have to be replaced with something more powerful. They have to be replaced with someone more powerful. So Jesus reminds us that the same God who feeds the ravens and clothes the lilies is faithful and generous to provide for us as well. He says, “Your Father knows you need [all these things]” (v. 30).

Jesus’ words about worry in Luke 12:22 – 31 set the stage for what comes next. And so, as you prepare for Sunday, I’d like to invite you to sit with these words for a little bit. Maybe take some time to reflect on the things you are worried about these days. Maybe write them down. And as you do, consider handing them over to God. Can you trust him with them? Can you release them to him? Can you believe that whatever happens with whatever it is that causes you to worry, God can be trusted to provide whatever it is that you need?