Don't worry

This week I have been reading through Matthew 6:25-34 repeatedly, the one where Jesus tells his disciples “Don’t worry.” We all know that when someone is worried, “Don’t worry” is about the worst thing you can say. Not only does it imply that not worrying is something we can simply stop through willpower, but it can also come with a certain amount of shame. Really, Jesus? To worry is human. There is no way Jesus could simply expect us not to worry.
 
But if you are like me, I’d actually like not to worry so much at a time like this, to trust, to have faith. And this is not just related to the pandemic, but about the world in general, the safety and health of my family and friends, future, retirement, etc. 
 
So, I’ve been thinking about this phrase from Jesus, “Don’t worry.” It got me thinking about Buddhism, that begins with the recognition that all of life is suffering. And the key to managing the suffering is not to become attached to the things you think you need. Nonattachment is the Buddhist way to not worry. But Jesus says in this passage something different: he says “Don’t worry, because your heavenly Father has got you.” The way of Jesus, in worry is not to detach; it is actually to attach more deeply to the One who knows what we need before we even ask. 
 
Jesus says, “Don’t worry” and then “Look at the birds” and “consider the lilies.” When you are worried, look and consider. It is not an answer, but it is a way. Don’t worry, dear ones, instead look at God’s creation, consider his goodness and maybe, just maybe, when we look and consider we become able to seek his Kingdom. As Jesus said in John 16, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world.” When you are worried, look, consider and seek. Amen.
Grace and peace,

Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation