Old News

Read Luke 12: 25-34

"And besides, what's the use of worrying? What good does it do? Will it add a single day to your life? of course not!"

Luke 12:25 (TLB)

"Look at the lilies! They don't toil and spin, and yet Solomon in all his glory was not robed as well as they are."

Luke 12:27 (TLB)

"Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be."

Luke 12:34 (TLB)

Cindy Lee is from England. "Cindy, can you look through your college and work boxes and decide which items to keep and which you want to recycle?" Mum asked. Her parents were downsizing and sorting through the accumulated clutter from living in the same house and caring for three children for many years.

Sifting through her belongings, Cindy found essays and assignments she had completed for her teaching degree. Glancing at the grades and scribbled comments, Cindy recalled the stress of looming deadlines and her constant fear of failure. She was transported back to a time when feelings of urgency and worries about the future dominated. What was all that worry and panic for? Worrying did not achieve anything except for stress churning inside of her. What had felt so urgent and important at the time has passed.

Constant worrying really is a waste of time because one day, like the assignments Cindy shredded, it will be old news. We weren't meant to stay stuck in the past but to allow ourselves to be constantly renewed. Although it was hard shredding the essays and the hours of work they represented, it was the right thing to do because they represented past. Now I can more strongly embrace the hope of new adventures and beginnings with God. Cindy has learned that whatever happens. God will lead us to the place we need to be, even if it is unexpected.

Prayer: Loving God,teach us how to unclutter our lives and minds. Help us to continually trust in you to renew us each day, in Jesus' name. Amen.