Today’s Reading: Matthew 6:27 (ESV)
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Today’s Question: How would you rate the supply in your cupboard and/or your closet: too little, too much, or just right?
Today’s Commentary:
Life is expensive. When my wife, Angela, and I sit down periodically and review our budget and actual expenses, we always leave this conversation overwhelmed. It is expensive to live.
Some things, however, are worth the expense. A good mattress is worth the expense, for the rest you get at night will be a factor in the attitude you display in the morning. I am willing to spend just a little more on orange juice at the store that does not have a long string of words in the ingredient list that I cannot pronounce. On the other hand, there are some things that are not worth their cost.
Worry is expensive. It costs millions of Americans hundreds of billions of dollars and hours of wasted resources and sleep. Nothing is worth the cost of a sleepless night, strained relationships, or the neglect of our fellowship with God.
Jesus asked His disciples a critical question: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Any attempt to control our lives is futile. This effort is a waste of our time. Worry is one of the dumbest things a disciple of Jesus can do.
Jesus strikes at the root of worry—control. When we try to maintain control of our lives, our decisions, and our destiny, we run into a brick wall. The prophet warned, “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the Lord’s decrees will prevail.” (Proverbs 19:21)
Worry-free living is also expensive. It costs us the willingness to surrender. As simple as this appears, it is most difficult for the human mind to relinquish our control. In our sin nature, we find it repulsive for anyone else to tell us what to do, including our Creator.
For the one who seeks to follow Jesus, a choice is required. Will we succumb to the daily temptation to worry about our lives or willingly give our control to the Lord? Retaining our control will cost us the consequences of worry. Relinquishing control of our lives to Christ will cost us our will. Only one of these options is a worthy investment.
“Follow One, Lead Others” Principle #43: A disciple of Christ willingly releases the control of his or her life over to the Lord Jesus.
Today’s Prayer Point: What areas of life do you find it most difficult to release to God? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to surrender these areas.
Shepherding Well 