"So don't worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Tomorrow will have its own worries."
As we ponder these words of Jesus, we must recognize that worry and planning ahead are different things. Jesus said that it is unreasonable not to do some essential planning. (Luke 14:28-31) Still, most of us have battled worry at some point in our lives. We go to bed with that nagging concern about what will happen "tomorrow." (Clearly Jesus is referring to worrying about what will happen in the future and not just literally tomorrow.) It may be a conflict that troubles us. It may be a mess at the office that must be confronted. It may be facing someone who has hurt us or that we have hurt. It may be that financial doubt about paying bills and having to face the note holders. Jesus wants us to let go of our anxiety. We must live in the present moment. There are too many opportunities we could miss today by worrying about what might happen tomorrow. The Lord could come between now and tomorrow and all our worry would have been silliness. The Lord may be at work in the situation during today, in ways we could not foresee, and our problems are not as insurmountable as they seem today. Or, even if the bad thing were to happen, our worry will have needlessly stolen the joy out of today. Let's make sure we fill up today with God's Kingdom priorities and then we can deal with tomorrow’s mess when, and if, it ever comes.
Prayer:
Almighty and sustaining God, I believe tomorrow is in your hands, so I will rest myself in your grace today as I seek to live for you. Please open my eyes to see the opportunities you provide today so that I can serve you and do your Kingdom work with focus, courage, and clarity. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
