Working In The Details – Dr. Hona Amer

Scripture:

“He continued this subject with his disciples. ‘Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner 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 ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—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. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them 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 get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself’.” Luke 12:22-32 (MSG)

Perspective:

Recently, I was watching a robin that had been injuried in a storm simply perch on the ground and wait. In light of all of the birds flying around, how does one robin matter? How does God keep track? As I watched it, I was simply reminded that God cares about that little bird. Even greater, God doesn’t lose sight of one detail, and He doesn’t lose sight of you.

When Jesus was talking with his disciples, he was greatly concerned about their focus. Preceded by a story about a rich farmer hoarding his possessions, Jesus wanted to make sure that the disciples were not spending their time and energy on accumulation of stuff. Jesus was keenly aware that you don’t take stuff with you when you die, so he didn’t want stuff to be their only focus while they lived. Jesus was communicating the bigger picture of God’s plan and purpose for our lives. He was more concerned about the disciples reaching people and wanted that to be their focus. In life, it is so easy to get caught up in the here and now. You have a mortgage to pay, kids to take to soccer practice, and unplanned expenses. Although we need to take care of our obligations, we have to put aside our worries and remember that God is our source. As Jesus used the examples of the birds and wildflowers, I believe that he is inviting us to look around our life and see his working in the details. Most importantly, Jesus wanted the disciples to know that it was more about the posture of the heart in regards to trusting God with our needs. Sometimes it can be easy to focus on what we have or don’t have and forget about God in the process. We must have a greater understanding of the totality of God’s care and concern for us. So what do we need to do? We must have a mental discipline that will not let us spiral down into worry. Worry can take over our life, if we let it. But when worry takes over, our faith in God begins to shrivel. We temporarily forget that the God of the universe is for us and wanting to work on our behalf. We make God really small and our problems or concerns really big. However, we need to do just the opposite. God wants to help you and bless you. And when we shift our focus from our constant worry to trusting God, there is a profound peace and freedom that enters our life. Let faith rise in your heart that He is taking care of your needs as you are diligent to pray, trust, and obey Him.