Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-33
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:31-33)
Maybe we have not yet felt what it means to worry if there will be food tomorrow. Our parents have, for the most part of our lives, supplied all our physical needs. However, there will be a point in your life when you realise that whether you live or die tomorrow is ‘in your hands’. In reality, it’s not in our hands – it’s in God’s hands. Yet, humanly speaking, we will see that our education matters a lot today because it will decide whether we get a job or not. We will realise that we will not have money for food, shelter, clothing, and a comfortable life without a job. More than that, we realise that it is in our hands to be accountable to our church, use our passing days wisely, and befriend people who will encourage our faith. As adulthood approaches, responsibilities pile up.
Life, in nature, is full of worries. If it were not, Jesus would not have had to remind us not to be anxious. The nature of our days and our future is uncertain. Can we predict what our life will look like in a year or two’s time? Definitely not. What if some financial catastrophe hit your family? What happens if a friend falls seriously ill? Life is not in our hands. We must know that the only unchanging stronghold in this life is our sovereign and good God, who works all things for the good of his children.
Thus, Jesus teaches us to seek God’s kingdom above our earthly needs. Life is uncertain, yes. But that does not mean that the purpose of our lives is to strive for some certainty. That is what the world does. They make survival their end goal. However, we are called for something greater. That is, to make God’s kingdom present in our lives and this world. Letting ‘God’s kingdom come’ means to strive for God’s rule as the king to spread. It means letting God control and direct our own lives, and it means calling others to submit under Christ’s Lordship.
This should be the primary focus of our lives amidst all the uncertainties. God has a calling for each of the lives of His children to live for Him and expand His kingdom here on earth. We must pursue that calling. God will provide all the physical needs that we will need to accomplish what God has called us to do. He will provide us with food, shelter, clothing, education, material supplies. God will provide what we need at the right time. Therefore, when we focus on God’s kingdom, we do not need to be anxious about tomorrow. God’s got this. Let us trust in Him.
Lord, please help us trust in You no matter what circumstances we are in. Teach us to seek Your kingdom first and learn to obey You wherever You call us. Help us not to be anxious about tomorrow or our future. All is in Your faithful hands. Thank You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.
