"Don't be anxious about your life..."
Dear Friends,
There are two ways of interpreting Jesus’ saying. The first is to understand it prescriptively; the second is to read it descriptively. It’s either a command, or it’s an explanation of the reality of the kingdom of God.
Receiving this verse as a command is fairly terrifying. Think about the last time someone told you to “relax.” What happened? Or the last time you told someone to “chill out,” what was their reaction? The prescription does not engender its demand.
Thankfully, Jesus is not asking us to invoke mind over matter. He’s not saying, “imagine your anxiety is a dumbbell, set it to the side, and never look back.”
This is good news for me, because since the lockdown I’ve been more anxious than ever. I’ve been worried about my job, my family and friends, I’ve even made up things to worry about.
The message of this text is not, “I know you’re living in extraordinary times but chill out anyway.” What Jesus is saying is that the kingdom of God is real. So despite your anxieties about the repercussions of Covid-19, the truth of the sovereignty of God gives us hope. For you and I serve the living God who is for us.
So keep taking your anti-anxiety medication, and continue your time of meditation and prayer, but, most importantly, remember that we can’t conjure up “the peace that surpasses all understanding” on our own. We need the power of “the One who raises the dead and calls into existence the peace that does not exist.”
Grace and Peace,
Ben
Check out…
Our very won Luke Rolland’s article at mbird.com. He breaks down the meaning behind our favorite tagline…
“Enjoy Your Forgiveness.”
Pray with us.
Do you have a prayer or concern you would like to share. Monday through Friday a prayer meeting takes from at 6 PM with the intention to receive your prayers and concerns. Message info@calstg.org to receive a zoom invitation.
Worship with us.
It is so simple to worship with us. Simply check in HERE for our live services and Sunday School offerings. Simply log in HERE and download your bulletin to get your Sunday started. Morning Prayer goes live at 11am.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? .” Matthew 6:25
Sundays for kids.
We may not be together in one building, but we can still connect through our new Sunday offerings with Director of Youth and Family, Chelsy Haynes. Each week families can tune in, learn, and create together. This Sunday families are invited to dig into Genesis and the great account of Noah. Link in HERE to join the fun every Sunday at 10 am.
Get Plugged In
Are you looking for more ways to stay connected? Now is a great time to join one of our many devotion groups. If your looking to get plugged into our community reach out to Rev. Ben Dehart at ben.dehart@calstg.org for more ways to get started.
We are here for you…
And remember if you need pastoral care during this time we are just a phone call away. Call the church office 646-723-4178 or email us at info@calstg.org. We would love to hear from you.