Dear Friends,
Though summer is almost upon us, I sense that our schedules are not showing any signs of taking a vacation! I know that this season has been a full one, and at times it seems as if things will never let up or slow down, but I want to encourage you this month not to be ANXIOUS. This is the word that the Holy Spirit continues to speak to my own spirit as I too find it a challenge sometimes to just lay every situation, every “agenda item” and every responsibility at the foot of the cross and trust that as I do my part – my very best – Almighty God will do the rest, and take care of the things that only He can do. He has been teaching me, instead of being anxious, to come running to His throne of grace to ask for His help (Hebrews 4:16).
Friends, God is not impressed with how much we can do on our own. In fact, what He truly desires and requires is for us to admit how much we CAN’T do on our own, and then rely on Him to do it as we wait on Him, listen for His voice, and then obey and carry out His directives. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Jesus also exhorts us in Luke chapter 12 verses 22-34: “ 22Then 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. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider 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! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” 27"Consider how the lilies 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, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Jesus’ solution to anxiety? “Seek Me and put your faith in Me. You can trust Me to provide, because I promised to give you what you need if you seek Me first.“ If we don’t have need, there is no reason for God to provide. And if we don’t seek Him first – in other words, make HIM our need more than anything else – He will not be able to trust us to continue to put Him first in our lives. When we have what we want, then what? Will we abandon Him because our needs have been met elsewhere? We need to find our treasure in HIM alone, because that’s where our heart will be (verse 34). The true sign of trusting Christ for every need (yes, even our time) is to seek first His kingdom, and then to demonstrate the right posture of our hearts by making a sacrifice and willingly giving out of what we do have to help provide for others who are in need (verse 33). Then we won’t have to worry about losing what we have, or not having what we need. If we let go of what we’re holding onto, we can just relax and trust God! He promises that when one of His children is in need, He will respond and meet that need. It just takes steadfastness, obedience, and PATIENCE on our part! God knows what we need and when we need it – better than we do.
So, take heart, my friends! When tempted to get anxious, just run to the throne of grace and seek Christ and His kingdom. Bring your situation to the cross, give it to Him, ask for His direction and help, and then just do what He says, trusting that He’ll take care of the rest. “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25) This month, when worry tries to creep in to your mind and heart, CHOOSE not to allow it. Make the decision not to be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God; and His peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
Seeking First His Kingdom,
Karen Warankie
News Director, CIP
