Jesus said to the disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.’    (Luke 12:22)

I don’t consistently live by today’s scripture.  Whenever I read Jesus’ admonition to not worry, I cringe when I remember the nights I’ve been awake at two o’clock—brooding, fretting, and spiraling.

In order to begin leaning into today’s words, it’s important to recognize that the anxiety Jesus is talking about is our preoccupation over material things. We might protest that we need everything we have—but really?  Is there any difference between what we need and what we want? How much is enough?  How much is too much?

Even though Jesus often talked about money and possessions, it’s important to remember that He wasn’t an ascetic like John the Baptist.   Jesus didn’t eat locusts; He went to dinner parties.  He didn’t drink only water; He liked good wine.  He wasn’t a puritan, a stiff, a killjoy.  He wasn’t anti-money, anti-things, anti-possessions.

Jesus frequently talked about things because He knew that our anxiety over things could cause us to ignore what our soul needs and can blind us from seeing the needs of others.  For us to want what we need is normal, but to be driven to have everything we want while so many don’t have enough of what they need, is a serious spiritual issue.

“Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?”  Jesus knows that our worry doesn’t add a single good moment to our life.  He knows that our worry robs time, energy, and love from our life.

Can what Jesus says reorient us?  Look at the birds and flowers.  They don’t worry and God takes care of them.  So, be like a bird or flower—really? Jesus, would you please try again?

He does when he says:  “…strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:31).

Do we want less worry in our life?  If so, I encourage us to seek first the Kingdom of God. Doing so may just alleviate some of our worry over stuff.

Reflection Questions:

1. What would it mean for you to “seek first the Kingdom of God?”

2. Whose kingdom do you actually care more about? Yours or God’s? If you care more about your own kingdom, how is that working for you?

3. Are you addicted to worry? Do you worry when you don’t? If you care more about your kingdom than God’s, you will never be free. If you care more about God’s kingdom, you will be.  What do you really want?