Do Not Worry
The birds are singing and the trees are blooming again in Berlin. When I stepped out of my apartment yesterday and noticed the signs of spring, I breathed a sign of relief. We still need to wear our coats, but the promise of warmer weather is in the air.
The chirping birds and beautiful flowers remind us that winter is over. But did you know that they also remind us not to be anxious about everyday life?
Over 2000 years ago Jesus taught a group of people sitting on a hillside that they did not need to worry because God cares for his creation and knows what his people need. Jesus used ravens and lilies as his examples. Ravens do not worry about food, but God feeds them. Lilies do not worry about clothing, but God makes them beautiful. Jesus pointed out that worry does not make our life longer, so why worry?
He said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life…for life is more than food, and your body more than clothing… seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.” (Read Jesus’ entire teaching on this topic for yourself in Matthew 6:25-34 & Luke 12:22-31.)
As in most big cities, Berlin has both lack and excess. People without homes sleep under bridges in need of meals and warm clothes every day. At the same time, most people in this city have an over abundance of food, clothing, entertainment, and opportunities.
Do Jesus’ instructions, “do not worry,” apply to all of us?
Yes they do! No matter our personal situation, everyone can feel anxious about something, whether that is not having enough food, clothing, money, friends, or time, or our lack of control in areas like our careers, relationships, or physical health.
Jesus’ instructions challenge us to shift our perspective. There is more to life than material gain or comfort. Worry does not make us live longer. In fact, worry often prevents us from enjoying what we already have and can lead to unhealthy attitudes and habits.
Yet, Jesus’ instructions also comfort us. Since God cares for his creation, then he will also care for us and give us exactly what we need. If we trust Jesus’ words to be true, then this truth becomes a powerful source of freedom and peace in our lives. Worry might still be a struggle for some of us depending on our personality or life situation, but worry does not have to control our lives or lead us to despair.
So this week, when you hear the birds or see the flowers, remember that God cares for you. I pray that that simple thought will replace the worry in your mind with wonder and thankfulness instead.
Last night Community Church hosted her first event, Explore the Bible! A small group of people, each with different perspectives about life and faith, gathered together to talk about this teaching of Jesus. We would love for you to join us as we keep exploring how Jesus’ words spoken years ago can challenge and comfort us today in Berlin. Please visit our Connect page for more information.