Careless

Mat 6:26  Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job 

	description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him 

	than birds.



	But, there are just so many things to be concerned about, so very many 

things that require our care. There is the care of our families and all the 

things that must be done to insure that they remain healthy and provided for in 

every way. Their education and the nurturing of their creative abilities and 

potential is something that cannot be ignored. They need an adequate dwelling 

place that is safe and warm. They need a means of transportation and this might 

require multiple vehicles. While all this is being cared for it must be done 

with consistent monitoring of its effect on financial stability. Somehow the 

source of all this provision must come from a career that is hopefully rewarding 

and inspiring. If not, this is something else that might cause concern. 


	I've sometimes wondered what it would be like to really not have to worry 

about any of these things with regard to limits, to just be able to do, go, and 

acquire without having to deal with the constricting feelings of financial and 

occupational confinements. It's easy to imagine how acquiring an incredible 

amount of money would bring on this wonderful state of ecstasy and bliss, and 

yet, the truth is, all the money in the world would not remove the need or the 

compulsion to be concerned about something. Health issues and the instability of 

world relations could not be removed along with many natural and relational 

issues that don't have a price. It seems that there really is no escaping this 

great trap of worldly concerns. If we're responsible at all, then we pretty much 

have to take care of these things and ponder them somewhat. 

	So, how can Jesus tell us to just be careless? How can He tell us to not 

be concerned about any of these things in our lives? I believe in this 6th 

chapter of Matthew Jesus is talking about a condition of the soul that is found 

in giving up the uncertainty of worldly concerns to the One who cares for us. 

It's not that we're supposed to be jobless and lazy, it's just that we've 

obtained a Father that will take over the parts that we cannot control. We can 

manage the things that are before us with knowledge that He is our partner in 

everything that we do and we can give up the worrisome care part of it all to 

Him. There is planning that needs to be done. There are bills that must be paid. 

There is effort that must be given to relationships and to jobs. But, beyond the 

range of our control, of our ability, there is a whole realm of uncertainty and 

fear that calls for our attention. When we've done all we can do and planned all 

we can plan, there is still the lingering shadow of "what might happen". This is 

when we have an opportunity to give our attention to something else that takes 

away completely the constricting anxiety of that shadowy realm. 


	We have a God that is a "right now" God. He is always at work in our lives 

in a way that can consume our attention and focus. As we choose to observe Him 

and honor the reality of His active presence, we can avoid altogether the 

destructive power of the unseen and the unknown- we've given it to Him. When 

we've planned and paid and the forecast still doesn't look certain, we can look 

at what God is doing right now and allow Him to take the care of that 

uncertainty. When we've walked in love and done all we can in relationships, we 

can see Him taking over the parts that we cannot affect. When we feel bound in a 

place or occupation, we can begin to take confident steps to follow His 

direction in our lives and focus on the wonder of His awesome hand on our gifts 

and abilities right now. 

	How we are liberated and how we are set free to soar as we choose this 

careless state of our Father's care. However the details come about, we are 

quite content and satisfied, freed from the chains of worry and care by the 

incredible vision of His care. 



Mat 6:33  Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't 

	worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will 

	be met. 

Mat 6:34  "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't 

	get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you 

	deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. 


5/9/04