Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? -Matthew 6:25, 27 (NIV)
I recently got news that the head of our department was dismissed from his post. That shocking and sudden news clearly had an impact on our group. Many people were talking of looking for other work, and worried about how long they could keep their jobs. Many of us are thinking of our bills, our obligations, and our futures.
Meanwhile, at home, my four-year-old likes to listen to vinyl records. One of the records he listens to is a 45 RPM single of Bobby McFerrin’s 1988 acappella song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” His life is wonderfully uncomplicated. There are no bills, obligations, or even future he’s thinking of. He lives in the moment.
Being a four-year-old, he plays that same record over and over and over again. And maybe with good reason. Maybe God wants to hammer something into my head and heart.
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. -Matthew 6:32-34 (NIV)
God assures us in His Word that we are not like the godless. Our future is secure. In fact, He is already there waiting for us! And even in the day to day, month to month, and year to year, He knows and has laid out His plans for our lives. We are in the very best of hands. God’s got this.
So, we are to be like children who trust completely in Him, just as our children trust completely in us: carefree and living in the moment.
We set our sights on the Lord, and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. When we do that instead of striving for worldly things and pursuits and goals, He assures us He will take care of us.
Carry your happiness and peace with you, because your joy is so deeply rooted within, granted to you by Jesus. Things in this world will come and go, but He is forever your constant, compass, joy, and hope.
So don’t worry, be happy!
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