"Mmmmm, this isn't the area you want." The pleasant airline worker stood at the Terminal B security entry and smiled at us. "This terminal isn't for that airline. Your flight is going to Istanbul and its departure time is similar, but that airline boards from a different spot. You need to be in Terminal D." 

I understood her British accent, but her words confused me. How could we be so turned around? This wasn't our first journey through an international airport, and we felt like seasoned travelers, yet still, we were way off-base. 

During the long walk back to find our correct terminal, I noted once again, to NOT book our flights through Heathrow! I also thought about how like self-care our little journey through Heathrow was: just as we had checked our flight destination and departure time but had overlooked the airline, it's easy for me to get focused on trying to care for myself and miss the One Who cares for me. 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." Hebrews 12:1-2a 

As I fix my eyes on Jesus in regard to self-care, I get a bit confused. Jesus did, at times, seem to take care of Himself: He slept, He ate, and He enjoyed being with friends. However, at other times, His self-care seemed to lack: He let Himself get so tired it seemed He would sleep (in a boat!) right through a storm's tumult, He ate meals with enemies, and at least once He cut short His time alone to minister to others (Matthew 14:13-14). 

In scripture I actually don't see Jesus focused on His own self-care at all. Throughout the narrative of Jesus' life, Jesus stayed focused on His Father and His will. He got up early (Matthew 1:35), stayed up late (Luke 6:12), and slipped away often (Luke 5:15-16), just to be with, and listen to, God.

I believe Jesus' life is the perfect standard. If I stay focused on God, I don't need to worry so much about my own self-care. As I do as God suggests, He'll get me through this life. Just like in Heathrow, though He may not have a British accent, as I listen to Him, I can even trust Him to correct me when I start to head the wrong way (Isaiah 30:21).

"Cast your anxieties on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7