Luke 12:35–40

Luke 12:35-40 

English Standard Version 

  Jesus is telling us not to live as though we are simply waiting for death, at which point we'll enter the Kingdom of God.  Scripture tells us that we are joined with Christ in our baptisms, and we are united in his life, death, and resurrection, meaning that our entire lives are to be lived with a joyous anticipation of union with Christ.  Christ is to be first in our hearts and minds -- as hard as that is to maintain, it's the call.  It's an uphill climb most days, given the things competing for our attention... but only one of those things promises you life beyond death.  Only one of those things can provide true and lasting joy, even in the face of grief.  Only one of those things knows you completely, believes you are fearfully and wonderfully made, and can redeem you from sin and death.  So may we give ourselves over, day after precious day, so that we may know Christ fully and be fully known.

Luke 12:32-34

Luke 12:32-34 

English Standard Version 

  I love the image of Jesus riding on a white horse on the glorious and victorious day of resurrection, but Jesus also has these wonderfully tender moments where he comes with gentleness to remind us that God delights in giving us the Kingdom.  It's not something we pry grudgingly out of God's hands -- God opens his arms and pours love into us, so that we might have a treasure store beyond imagining.  We think about wealth and riches in terms of dollars and cents, but Jesus is reminding us that no matter what we do, we'll one day surpass the world where that is useful to us.  So why not choose to set our hearts on a more permanent treasure, one that cannot be stolen or taken from us?  If I told you that you'd live for a million years and you could choose between a treasure that was good for a hundred years or a treasure that was good for a million, which would you choose?  The world will convince us that we're only going to live for a hundred, but Jesus is reminding us that there is a life beyond this one, more real than this one, and we ought to think about investing for that Kingdom more than this one.  That doesn't mean we should ignore this world, but when we choose which is first in our hearts... may we choose wisely.

Luke 12:29–31

Luke 12:29-31 

English Standard Version 

  What are you going to chase?  

  God knows you need the basics.  I don't think this means that we can ignore those and they'll magically appear, but I do believe God works to ensure our needs are met. 

  So if your needs are met, what are you seeking?

 I'm not sure that we do a great job thinking about this question.  We get up every day and get after it, busying ourselves with pursuing various tasks.  But do we make time to think about what we're working towards, about what it is we want more than anything else?

  God's Kingdom is promised to us -- a place of fullness, of fulfillment, of hope and joy.  How do we set our hearts on that each morning, to let God fill us and let the Holy Spirit guide us?  It's so very hard to make it through the day with that first in our hearts.  There are so many distractions that will steal our attention and our energy.  

  Seek first the Kingdom.  If we can do that, our lives become so much richer.

Luke 12:25–28

Luke 12:25-28

English Standard Version 

  We never ask ourselves this question when we're worrying do we?  Can this worrying add a single hour to my life?  Jesus isn't afraid to ask it... he points out that if we can't even do that, then why spend so much time worrying?  A great question, Jesus.  Granted, when I get on the anxiety treadmill and start running full speed, I don't really have time to think about the reality that the worry isn't getting me anywhere.  God cares enough about the lilies, so maybe I should trust in God's provision for me!  

  I've been trying to breathe better.  When I get into a mental loop, I've been trying to stop and breathe deeply, allowing space for the Holy Spirit to remind me that this worry doesn't serve me.  It only makes me think that everything depends on me (reminder:  it doesn't).  I'm not keeping the world spinning by worrying.  That's God's job, and he's better at it than I am.

  So let us breathe, relax, and lean into trusting in God.