Worry Not

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." ~Matthew 6:25-34

This passage seems to be the theme for the day. For I have come across parts of it in two different settings. First, today's reading in My Utmost for His Highest, which references 6:30. Second, today's passage selection from Bible Verses for Myspace, which references 6:31-33. And while it's a good reminder for all, I believe it's meant to be a reminder for me, today especially.

Last night I watched a dvd with my grandfather, "Close Encounters of the God Kind." The speaker, Jesse Duplantis, was sharing with his audience the various close encounters he's had with God, all to lead up to one encounter in particular. That of his visit to heaven. (I say that quite literally, and do not desire to debate the man's experience.) The main point of his message being that Jesus is coming.

While his experiences struck me, and in a way, inspired me, it was the genuine nature of his relationship with God that stayed with me the most. Such a seemingly simple thing, it was, yet something I find so difficult at times. His faith, and trust, so implicit. The closeness he expresses and shares. A passionate love for his Saviour, but most importantly, his friend. Jesus is his friend. And the though struck me, do I treat Jesus that way? Do I consider Jesus as my friend?

Before going to bed, I prayed that I too could experience Jesus the way Mr. Duplantis seems to experience and know Him. That He would be the ultimate desire of my heart. That the first thought in the morning and the last before bed would be of Him.

This seems a tangent from where I first started, I know, but bear with me. Such was my prayer last night. This morning, upon reading from Oswald, and then the Bible Verse for myspace, I realized that part of what's keeping me from my desire is my ability to let the worries of the world consume me. I allow the worries for the other desires of my heart surpass my desire for God. But I am not to worry about anything. It doesn't do any good, but it's also not how God created me to behave. The birds of the air and flowers of the field do exactly as God created them to. And God takes care of them. So also, should I.

I can't worry about J or if his heart will ever change towards me. I should only concern myself with Jesus, with loving Him and building my friendship with Him. Jesus needs to be my best friend, above all others. He needs to be my first lover, before anyone else can be. My Jesus, my God, my friend.