LIVING TODAY

Jesus was not promising a worry-free or care-free life.

When He said, “Do not worry,” He was acknowledging the necessity of so many of the things we worry about—and that such worry has always been part of human existence. We are fragile creatures, dependent on things as simple as food and water—and so much more—for life and health. We do have to be concerned about taking care of ourselves responsibly and caring for our families, our community, and others in need.

And for most of us, most of the time, we need to work to provide those things using the resources, skills, strength, and opportunities that we have been given.

For most of our lives, that is the work of today.

Jesus also warned us about becoming too preoccupied with worries and fears for the future. He told His followers that they should not import tomorrow’s troubles into today. Confronting the threats and stresses that we expect or imagine in the future is not the task we are given today. This does not mean that we don’t make plans or work toward goals. What we do today can help shape the future for ourselves and others, but planning and working faithfully today are the focus for today. Even with the hardest work and the most careful planning, we cannot control the future. Life is difficult, frustrating, and even tragic for so many people—but that is not how God intended or intends it to be. The answer to worry is to entrust ourselves and our futures to the God who feeds the birds and clothes the wildflowers so abundantly. He is not only a God of provision but a God of creativity and beauty.

When we trust Him with tomorrow, no matter how uncertain it might feel, we are choosing to be part of God’s project to restore and re-create it all.

It’s the biggest assurance we can have.