Matthew 6:25-33 The Message (MSG) 25-26 “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. 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. 27-29 “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. 30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way God works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how God works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. And you'll find your everyday concerns will be met. 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. Just live one day at a time."
Jesus is reminding us as people of faith – that thanksgiving is our ‘response-ability’ - our ability to respond - and it depends on our perspective and priorities: - looking at life differently and trusting in God who walks with us through our days – and in all the ups and downs of life – and in setting our priorities on what is important and what is not.
"Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. And you'll find your everyday concerns will be met. Don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. Just live one day at a time."