We have a house with a small yard that needs mowing often. And every single time my husband mows, a flock of birds descends upon the fresh cut grass. We don’t mow to feed the birds, but it’s a benefit to them that we do. And if I’m honest, we enjoy watching the little green birds peck alongside the black birds with orange beaks. It reminds me of the passage in Matthew where Jesus is telling the people to not worry. 

But how often do I find myself worrying? I worry about my adult kids and how they are adjusting to life in their passport county. I worry about the future of my daughter with special needs. I worry about support needs and lack of support. I worry about things I cannot control. And this worry leads to being anxious. 

These two verses in Matthew 6 are part of a bigger speech by Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount. Looking back over the beginning of the chapter, Jesus teaches about giving to those in need, praying what we now call “The Lord’s Prayer”, fasting, and comparing earthly treasures to heavenly treasures. This chapter ends with the directions to not worry mainly about food and clothing. It may seem like a string of thoughts or mini sermons, but may I suggest that we draw our focus on this question brought by Jesus, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (v27). When I look at the full chapter, I am struck that usually “hypocrites” mentioned above are worried about what others think of them. They want to make sure they are seen giving to the poor and heard praying long thoughtful prayers. They worry that others will think of them. And then Jesus touches on worrying about our possessions on earth and our own needs. He points out that worrying about such things is not good, that in fact, they will not add to our life (v26).  

Worry is associated with stress, and we all know that stress only depletes our mental and physical health. As global workers it is easy to worry about our ministry, about our supporters and what they think of us, or if we have children to worry about their own coming and going. But I love how Jesus points to the antidote to worrying in verse 33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” It all goes back to putting our trust in the One who called us to the place He has us.  

As I look at the yard today and see the black birds with orange beaks, I am thankful that I do not need to worry about my physical needs. I have clothes and food. And I will choose not to worry about the other things that I cannot control, but instead to trust the One who is in control. 

Resource: Blue Letter Bible