One of the most curious parts of having an indoor/outdoor cat is their irrational need? Desire? To go outdoors. We did not adopt this boy, he adopted us. We feed him. I’d say clothe, but haha, no we do not clothe him. We give him a warm, dry place to rest. Cat towers. Cat couch. Cat hammock. Nope, you know when he’s had enough. He walks to the door, sits down, and stares first at the door, then at us.
I must seem this way to God at more times than I would like to think. He tells me to rest in His mighty care. He tells me not to be afraid. He tells me that He gives me daily bread. (Matt 6:11). Not to worry about my life. (Matt 6:25) Consider the birds. (Matt 6:26) Observe the flowers (Matt 6:28). The grass (Matt 6:30)
Yet, here I am, plotting and planning how to take care of my needs. Now, I’m not suggesting, nor did you really say this to me, reader, that God is telling me not to be active and work. I need to get that thought out there. I am suggesting that I can be a lot like my little cat who has everything he needs right here, and yet he walks out. Honestly, every time I decide to figure out how to solve my problems before laying them out before the Lord, it’s as though I am leaving the safety and care of the house. Or, I do lay them before the Lord, and snatch them back promptly.
“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”
Matthew 6:31-32 NASB1995
When I look all around trying to find the answers myself, I’m asking these questions. And, I’m sure you are not like this reader, but I seek after all these things. I am forming a game plan.
Your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. He knows what we need. He asks us to trust.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:33-34 NASB1995
Notice in these two sections of Matthew 6. The Gentiles seek after all these things. I’m becoming more convinced every time I read this, that the worry and planning and the desire for more stuff are all part of this seeking. I’m seeking after my needs.
How did Matthew 6 begin? Instructions on giving, praying, and fasting. Outward focus on others and on the Lord. Give to the poor. Pray in private. Fast in secret.
How does Matthew 6 end? Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Do the things that God instructs on giving praying and fasting. All three of these actions take the focus off of ourselves.
- in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God
- the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God
- integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting
- in a narrower sense, justice or the virtue which gives each his due
I needed the reminder of the definition of righteousness. Live our lives in such a way that others see the light of Christ and wonder what we have. I can’t do that very well if I am hyper focused on my needs, plotting, scheming, and planning on how to meet the things.
“For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and all it contains.”
Psalms 50:10-12 NASB1995
We are back to nature to remind us. He owns it all. Beast, cattle, bird are all watched by our Heavenly Father. So, if He owns it all, then we rest in His abundant care. Pick up our cross and follow Him, knowing that He knows our needs. Paul knew this so well.
“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:10-13 NASB1995
Paul knew this. He knew the secret. Contentment. It’s not based on the present circumstances. Whatever life throws next, Paul knew he could face the next thing. He could do the next thing because of the strength God provided. Allow me to finish this post with the end of Philippians.
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Philippians 4:19-20 NASB1995
Run after Christ. Everything else will be supplied.
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