Do Not Worry

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When God says, “do not worry…”, he means it. There are no underlying complex explanations behind it. Just that God wants you to worry about nothing – not clothes, food, money, career or your future. He knows you more than anyone else; he knows your needs and your circumstances. And as your perfect Father, he will give you what you need in his time, according to his grand plans.

God Against Worrying

Instead of worrying, focus all your energy, attention and effort on knowing Him – as you father, provider, strength, comforter, savior and King. What God desires is a relationship, one that is unbreakable even with the invasion of unfortunate circumstances and the flood of all consuming worldly needs. He needs you to know Him like never before so when the time comes that you need to speak up for his name, you can do so without hesitation.

Again, God urges you “do not worry about anything or anyone…” God, after all, is in control of every circumstance and situation. Instead, pursue God in every waking hour of your life. In every decision and action, ask God if his hand is upon it.  Ask God if you are in line with his will and plans. Ask God if he approves of where your life is headed.

What Worry Does

Remember that at the end of this journey we call life is the all powerful God waiting for us to give an account on how we were as stewards of his gifts. Did we use our life to bring glory to his name? Did we use our time to spread his word? Did we do all we can to know him more and more each day? Did we live out his design and purpose for our lives?

Worry brings only confusion.  Let it dominate your life and you’re bound to go astray, far away from the straight and narrow path that God intended for you to walk in. Allow worry to stain the picture and you’re going to live life like the prodigal son - bonded to worldly desires like money, sex, power and greed. All of which are going to lead to your inevitable destruction.

Overcoming Worry

Even if things do not go your way, let not worry grip your heart or mind. Rise above your obstacles and needs then focus your thoughts on seeing the glass as half full. When you know your God, He will come through not just half way but all the way. Regardless of your faithlessness, just believe and come to Him in all abandon. Neither your abilities nor knowledge will save you from despair. Rely too much on yourself and you’ll only end up selfishly guarded and proud.

In this world and in this life, there are no guarantees. Live on your own and you will constantly chase after meaningless dreams. Push God away and you’ll always end up with demons in the shadows. Fear will be your constant companion. There are no joy in the horizon if you let worry stomp on your relationship with God. So, heed God’s call and advice because He knows that you need not worry now. Yes, regardless of what’s happening because He’s got your back. Yes, even if you were hurting him again and again with you sinful ways. Yes, he loves you despite your inadequacies and shortcomings. 

Are You Useful Now?

A couple of days ago, I got a chance to watch Lincoln. Yet again, filmmaker Steven Spielberg helmed a story so enchanting and moving, it ought to awaken your unknown love for history. It was a beautiful masterpiece centered on Lincoln's life as a father, husband, friend and as the 16th president of the United States who marshaled the freedom of the slaves.

But for me, the scene that lingered long and vividly was the heated confrontation between father (Abe Lincoln) and his first born son, Robert. The civil war was poised to end and Robert has been steered away to enlist for war by sending him to Boston to become a lawyer.

While visiting soldiers who were injured, the stirrings in Robert's heart to be useful now came alive and burning. A momentary lapse in Lincoln's part, a slap against a son's defiance, furthered his son's desire to its boiling point. With or without permission, Robert enlisted his heart and life for war.

It's meaningful and moving and touching because I feel the same way. I don't want to be useful tomorrow, I want to be useful now. Not five years after but now.

Maybe we all go through this stage and season of self-doubt. We question our worth as a person based on how useful we are now. Are we doing what we always wanted to do? Are we living for something bigger than ourselves? Are we happy? Are we making a difference? Are we changing the world? Are we useful?

These are questions that are real and scary. If you answered yes, good for you. But a no echos the restlessness from within. It's a silent cry of desperation seeking freedom from the bondage of mediocrity and the common life. To be useful means to be important. It's a human desire common to all but only a handful achieves.

But what does it really mean to be useful? Only you can tell because your life is yours to live. You don't need to be president or a noble soldier to feel fulfilled. Just look around you, examine your motives and notice the little differences you are making on other people's lives.

Usefulness is all about perspective. As long as you are living your life according to how you were wired then that's useful. Birds fly because they were created with wings. Flowers bloom, the sun rises and sets, the moon beams at night and fishes swim. They are who and what they are because of their specific design. And you are who you are because God created you that way.

The moment you are feeling useless, go back to your creator. Only He can tell you what you were wired for.