Does life always turn out like you planned? Are you facing things today you never imagined or tried your best to avoid? Are there things you would do anything to have or change but you simply can't? If this is your reality, read the words of Jesus below, as interpreted by Eugene Peterson in The Message. The words may sound familiar but a little different than you've heard before.
In more traditional Bible translations, the words go something like this: "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow…" These are some of my favorite words of Jesus, and I like this particular version because it defines His Kingdom in some specific ways that I can measure and monitor in myself. Let's take a look at each one.
1. Steep your life in God-reality… When I think of that word "steep", a cup of tea comes to mind. Placing a teabag in hot water draws the flavor and aroma of the tea leaves into the surrounding liquid. How long the tea leaves are left in the water determines how strong the cup of tea becomes. Whether you prefer your tea strong, weak, or somewhere in between is a matter of preference, as is what you add to it. Personally I prefer honey, but you might like sugar or milk or to leave it alone. But when it comes to steeping your life in God-reality, the more you do this, the better. You can never get too much of the reality of God: His love for you, His ways, His strength, and the hope He brings.
God is real and He is relevant to our lives, but too often we don't live like it. We think and act as if He doesn't exist, or if He does, that He doesn't really care about us. I only have to read one verse into the Bible to know that's not true. Genesis 1:1 tells us, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Whom did He make it for? People. He gave us air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, friends, family, work, rest…everything we need. Hmm, that sounds a lot like Jesus' words here…You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. But I'm getting ahead of myself. How else is God real and relevant? What has He done for you? What does He still want for you? What do you need from Him, besides your next breath and your next meal? Help with your relationships? Guidance in your decisions? Strength in your challenges? Believing He is real and relevant will go a long way to receiving all He has for you.
2. Steep your life in God-initiative… Have you ever thought about that? Going back to Genesis 1:1, the first words of the Bible say, In the beginning God… How can you fill in the rest of the sentence? What has God started in you or for you? What new things might be on the horizon? He knows the plans He has for you. Do you? How has He led you in the past, and how is He leading you now? If you don't know, that's okay, but steeping your life in God-initiative instead of your own plans, thinking, and ideas will take you places you've never dreamed (or maybe you have, but what you want seems impossible). But if He wants it for you, it's not. Trust Him. Follow Him. Ask Him to show you the way.
3. Steep your life in God-provisions… This is related to the first two. The truth is that God will always provide for you. He never leaves you on your own. Have you heard the saying, 'God helps those who help themselves'? It's NOT in the Bible! God never said that, so forget about it. God helps those who ask. God helps those who trust Him. God helps those He loves.
4. Don't worry about missing out… In addition to this referring to your basic needs being provided, it can also be applied to what you want out of life. Proverbs 19:21 says, Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. I have wanted and aspired to many things. Many of my wishes have come true, others have not (at least not yet), but I live a very happy and satisfied life because I believe God always gives me what I need; what is best; what He has planned for me. And really, what's better than that?
So don't worry about tomorrow, or today for that matter. God's got it covered. He knows. He cares. He will lead you if you choose to follow. That's the beauty of His Kingdom. He will give you exactly what you need today, tomorrow, and always.
1. Steep your life in God-reality… When I think of that word "steep", a cup of tea comes to mind. Placing a teabag in hot water draws the flavor and aroma of the tea leaves into the surrounding liquid. How long the tea leaves are left in the water determines how strong the cup of tea becomes. Whether you prefer your tea strong, weak, or somewhere in between is a matter of preference, as is what you add to it. Personally I prefer honey, but you might like sugar or milk or to leave it alone. But when it comes to steeping your life in God-reality, the more you do this, the better. You can never get too much of the reality of God: His love for you, His ways, His strength, and the hope He brings.
God is real and He is relevant to our lives, but too often we don't live like it. We think and act as if He doesn't exist, or if He does, that He doesn't really care about us. I only have to read one verse into the Bible to know that's not true. Genesis 1:1 tells us, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Whom did He make it for? People. He gave us air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, friends, family, work, rest…everything we need. Hmm, that sounds a lot like Jesus' words here…You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. But I'm getting ahead of myself. How else is God real and relevant? What has He done for you? What does He still want for you? What do you need from Him, besides your next breath and your next meal? Help with your relationships? Guidance in your decisions? Strength in your challenges? Believing He is real and relevant will go a long way to receiving all He has for you.
2. Steep your life in God-initiative… Have you ever thought about that? Going back to Genesis 1:1, the first words of the Bible say, In the beginning God… How can you fill in the rest of the sentence? What has God started in you or for you? What new things might be on the horizon? He knows the plans He has for you. Do you? How has He led you in the past, and how is He leading you now? If you don't know, that's okay, but steeping your life in God-initiative instead of your own plans, thinking, and ideas will take you places you've never dreamed (or maybe you have, but what you want seems impossible). But if He wants it for you, it's not. Trust Him. Follow Him. Ask Him to show you the way.
3. Steep your life in God-provisions… This is related to the first two. The truth is that God will always provide for you. He never leaves you on your own. Have you heard the saying, 'God helps those who help themselves'? It's NOT in the Bible! God never said that, so forget about it. God helps those who ask. God helps those who trust Him. God helps those He loves.
4. Don't worry about missing out… In addition to this referring to your basic needs being provided, it can also be applied to what you want out of life. Proverbs 19:21 says, Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. I have wanted and aspired to many things. Many of my wishes have come true, others have not (at least not yet), but I live a very happy and satisfied life because I believe God always gives me what I need; what is best; what He has planned for me. And really, what's better than that?
So don't worry about tomorrow, or today for that matter. God's got it covered. He knows. He cares. He will lead you if you choose to follow. That's the beauty of His Kingdom. He will give you exactly what you need today, tomorrow, and always.
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