“27And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” — Matthew 6:27 (ESV)
It is not by agonizing that there is addition. I sit in my office during the day and take on that which comes and in some instances concern myself with that which I do not have to continue with my work. In my role I am reliant on others to provide the information I need in order to ensure that those in my charge are getting that which they “need” to do their jobs. This reliance on others causes me anxiety as I tend to receive information in what I consider the last moment. This anxiety tends to do more harm than good in that I am too concerned with what I do not have and cannot do than that which I do have and can. The anxiety I feel certainly does not help the situation and does not gain me anything.
I have written on the passage referenced a number of times and again, God brings me back for more learning and study. All I need, God provides. No matter the work I do, I am not the provider, but the receiver.
“26Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” — Matthew 6:26 (ESV)
I have to proceed in the moment and allow for God to provide and leave it all with Him. I will be provided for when I need it much like the birds. They find provision in the moment they need. When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God provided manna each day for their provision. I have to get past my want of everything when I want it and know that God will provide when I need it. No amount of worry on my part will speed the actions of God. He will add to me in His time and not a moment before. I have to remember to be content with what I have been given and know that my provision is taken care of.
Now I want to address the idea that we should then just sit and wait on God. Yes, that is true that we are to wait on God’s timing with everything and His provision. But, we are also charged with doing the work and having faith that He will come through in His time. My time, as I am the one doing the work, seems to be of importance, but it is God’s time that is being upheld in His provision for me. God works in the realm of “just in time”. His timing is perfect and I have to remember that and not be anxious about what is missing and simply do the work assigned by Him and know that what I need to complete that work will be added to when His time is right.
What anxiety do you have as a result of feeling as though you do not have what you need? Are you concerned with your wants or your needs? What if you proceeded knowing that God will add to you in His time and that His provision for you will always be given?
Trevor's Thoughts 