Consider

Consider

Scripture selection: Luke 12:22

Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!

Of all the teachings of Jesus – this is one of my favorite ones.

Perhaps it is because over the years I have seen more people struggling, more people hurting, over the issue of worry than most other maladies.

Worry is relentless.  Worry is unforgiving.  Worry is a hard taskmaster.  Worry plaques just about everyone I know.

And Jesus says it is a complete waste of time.

He’s right, of course.

Worry accomplishes nothing and robs us of so much.  Maybe that’s why it’s one of the devil’s favorite tools.

“Consider” – with that one word – Jesus puts everything in proper perspective.  Consider the ravens and the wild flowers.  Consider the ongoing, never-ending love of God.  Consider how God has promised that He will never leave us.  Consider the amazing grace of God.  Then see how big and important your worries are.

I know, it’s easier said than done.

But we are challenged, as kingdom people, to live life free of worry – not like the “pagans” who rush after so much that is so meaningless.

So consider – just consider – how God knows everything you need long before you do.

And stop worrying.

By Paul Simrell

The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. Elpis is the Greek word meaning “expectant hope.” He also serves on the associate clinical staff of the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Richmond, Virginia, both as a pastoral counselor and a ministerial assessment specialist, specializing in executive, clergy and relationship coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program. Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

2 comments

  1. Thanks Paul Right now I’m trying hard to follow the simple rule –no worries. Just praying for the strength that I need to help others. If will be God’s will.

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