Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34)
This verse is part of Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount. Two weeks ago, many of us felt like we were able to do just about anything we wanted--plan vacations, have friends over, meet someone for lunch. Even if your life wasn’t rolling merrily along, you could still expect to find TP at your local Walmart.
Today? We're feeling much less "able." Some have already lost their jobs. Some are rightly afraid of how a case of COVID-19 will affect them, or their elderly and/or immunocompromised loved ones. Many of us are wondering if or when we'll hit the "northern Italy" phase of the pandemic. It's scary.
Jesus tells us not to worry about the future, that "sufficient for the day is its own trouble." I guess these words are easier to digest when we're healthy, there's money in the 401(k), our favorite team is on TV, and we can expect a paycheck every two weeks. It's not so easy when the world seems to be falling apart all around us.
But isn't that when the message is the most important?
I'd be remiss if I didn't say that the quote for this little entry is incomplete, out of context even. Because, to get a better sense of it, you need to see some of the preceding words:
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ... But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
And that, my friends, puts it into perspective ... and tells us of a perspective that can bring us infinite peace in the midst of trouble.
Speaking of perspective ... today's photo is from a walk I took this afternoon as a break from work.
This verse is part of Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount. Two weeks ago, many of us felt like we were able to do just about anything we wanted--plan vacations, have friends over, meet someone for lunch. Even if your life wasn’t rolling merrily along, you could still expect to find TP at your local Walmart.
Today? We're feeling much less "able." Some have already lost their jobs. Some are rightly afraid of how a case of COVID-19 will affect them, or their elderly and/or immunocompromised loved ones. Many of us are wondering if or when we'll hit the "northern Italy" phase of the pandemic. It's scary.
Jesus tells us not to worry about the future, that "sufficient for the day is its own trouble." I guess these words are easier to digest when we're healthy, there's money in the 401(k), our favorite team is on TV, and we can expect a paycheck every two weeks. It's not so easy when the world seems to be falling apart all around us.
But isn't that when the message is the most important?
I'd be remiss if I didn't say that the quote for this little entry is incomplete, out of context even. Because, to get a better sense of it, you need to see some of the preceding words:
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ... But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
And that, my friends, puts it into perspective ... and tells us of a perspective that can bring us infinite peace in the midst of trouble.
Speaking of perspective ... today's photo is from a walk I took this afternoon as a break from work.
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