Worry – The Easiest, Most Difficult Thing

Our backyard features a number of bird feeders.  When there is time during a morning to sit with a cup of coffee, watching the birds swoop in and out, it’s both relaxing and entertaining.  Since we’re coming to the close of summer there aren’t so many recently fledged young birds coming in and out of the yard.  Earlier in the season it was often much easier to spot them.

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Many times they hadn’t worked out the fine art of a gentle and smooth landing yet.  It would be fair to think of some landings on a feeder as almost a crash landing.  Even so, food was there to be had and the take-off always looked more skilled.

There’s a verse from the tenth chapter of Matthew

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Matthew 10:29

Watching the birds in the backyard brings this to mind.  At the same time, it’s important to remember why Jesus made this point to His disciples – and to us.  Verse 29 is together with a sub-set of verses from chapter ten, verses twenty-six to thirty three.  Some of the modern Bible publications will sub-title these verses as “Have No Fear.”  

Chapter ten is a record of the Apostles being sent out on their first missionary trip.  In sending them, Jesus was pretty plain-spoken about the obstacles and opposition they would experience.  It’s not completely wrong to say that you and I are on our first and only missionary trip, called life.  Like the disciples, we are called to be witnesses to Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  Sometimes it truly feels as though that’s much easier said than done.

Sometimes it feels as though the opposition is not just an individual who holds some viewpoint that stands against our faith.  There are days when it can feel as though even the world itself steps up to inhibit or even prevent and derail our walk of faith.  ​

Let’s face it.  You and I are not able to do this in and of our own strength.  It’s far too easy to feel the pull of worry because there are health problems or financial problems or family problems.  It’s far to easy to make the list and mentally step through it, forgetting that each of us is of far more value than many sparrows.

​Your loving Savior Jesus not only said that – He demonstrated it during every moment of His life and especially during those final hours, ending on the cross.  He continued to demonstrate it when He returned following the Resurrection for the people to see Him alive and victorious.  He continues to demonstrate it today and every single day in your life and mine.

Matthew 10: 29-32  “ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Don’t worry.

Pastor Rod