“And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” (Luke 12:29-31)

Our culture is worried about a lot of things: racial prejudice, global warming, crime, terrorism, hurt feelings. And because these worries are daily transmitted through the media, we Christians tend to be infected with them. Although we ought to be concerned for such matters and advocate for justice and express the love of Jesus, our cultural worldview proclaims that we humans being are in control of these issues. Pass a few laws, educate our kids right, share our stuff and these problems will vanish. We are in control. God has been eliminated from the picture.

Thus the world would dismiss these words of Jesus though they bring great comfort. They speak to the importance of trusting in our Heavenly Father for our daily needs. Jesus tells us that as long as we trust Him, we should not worry or fret because He will supply us with everything we need. That does not mean everything we want or we think we need or are told by the media that we must have, just what we need. Of course we may disagree with God as to what our needs are, but He always knows best. We must have faith in what He promises. If He sees to the needs of the lowliest of creatures, the ravens and lilies, indeed all flora and fauna, He will certainly not forget the needs of His faithful children.

And yet, despite God’s promises, we who have faith in Christ still suffer doubt. We worry when faced with the practical challenges and woes of everyday life. As we endure such tribulations, it is easy to worry, to forget that God is still in control. And because He is, we can face life faith for God has promised that all the injustices we see will be righted. All the suffering we endure will vanish. All the losses we incur by persecution will be made up in ways we can only imagine. Therefore we should always be mindful that since we have been called into God’s kingdom we must carry out the work He has given us with gladness and peace, with the assurance that He will supply what we need.