In the 15th chapter of Matthew, Jesus reminds his followers how the birds and flowers don't worry or toil, but still have their needs met by God. He goes on to tell those listening that if they will "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." However, we also find scripture replete with times where Jesus was burdened for the things of this earth.
Jesus would find solitude to pray. I imagine that many of these prayer times were burdened with concerns for his disciples and an earnest seeking of the will of God.
I cannot imagine that Jesus' entire ministry was just a happenstance affair. He had to have a strategic plan that required prayer, study, and effort.
Tears. Fervent prayer. Sweat like drops of blood. Forty days of fasting. Monumental, Satan-directed temptations.
There is a fine line between worrying and being burdened. Anxiety vs. concern.
It is impossible to live life without concerns, cares, and conundrums. But I believe the secret to a worry-free (or at least a worry-reduced) life is to follow the model of our Lord and Savior.
Each day find the time necessary to take our plans, concerns, aspirations, etc. to Him in prayer and anticipation. Get to a quiet place. Block out time. Let Him speak to you.
Once He has spoken then we can step out with confidence, not apprehension.
What about those things that come up during the day. If we have nurtured a deep, abiding relationship with Him, it will be a natural reaction to turn to God immediately for guidance. Our thoughts and reactions will be directed by Him if we are committing time to Him each day. Our public lives will be controlled by our private time with Him.
The be-like-the-flower-and-birds advice sounds lovely, happy, and joyful. But that can only be accomplished through the daily discipline of seeking the kingdom of God first.
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