“So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” [Matthew 6:31–33]
Rather apropos words these days: “Don’t worry.” Jesus refers to our food and clothing and jobs. Hmmm. But everything costs so much, and we all know several who have lost their jobs (or the threat seriously looms). But “don’t worry.” Even though there is the mortgage or rent payment this month; and groceries cost so much; and there’s a car payment; and the child’s medicine… “Don’t worry.”
Those who have no awareness of a loving God’s care (“the Gentiles”) make a habit of worrying. But the Christ-follower has a benevolent Father who knows of their concerns and precarious budget. So, as best you can, make it a priority, instead of worrying, to choose inward character over angst and God’s kindness over bitterness towards others (“seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness”).
And please try to rest in God’s providing you with what you need (even as you seek to do your best at work).
“Let us think only of spending the present day well. Then, when tomorrow shall have come, it will be called TODAY, and then, we will think about it.” (St. Francis de Sales)
For your reading accompaniment: “All Your Anxiety” (traditional hymn played by Anne MacCallum)
Words of hope for the worrier. On many occasions this hymn has spoken to my soul and its anxiousness. I love this simple, contemporary rendition.
Taking the Lord’s name in vain
It’s not what you think it means, says Old Testament scholar Carmen Joy Imes. In her book Bearing God’s Name (which I intend to finish on my sunshine-filled getaway next week), Imes writes that we’ve misunderstood the command about “taking the Lord’s name in vain.”
This command is about “bearing God’s name,” a theme that continues throughout the rest of the Bible and plays itself out in the believer’s everyday life. So, this isn’t about cussing (though I don’t recommend that either), it is about “bearing the name of God” (“I’m a Christian”) and not contradicting that name through my behavior, attitude, or treatment of others. It’s a fresh and accessible retelling of the epic story of Israel’s exodus and dedication to their divine calling to “bear God’s name.” And all Christ-followers, like the Israelites, will come to grips with who we really are by embracing whose we are: the name-bearers of the LORD, the Creator of heaven and earth, the Redeemer.
Here’s a splendid podcast where Imes makes her point so clearly.
Gandhi on using love instead hate—in the face of enemies
When one travels frequently to India, one gets regular doses of Gandhi’s ideas and reminders of his peaceful but powerful ways for change. These words may be as pertinent today as they were for him in 1940’s India:
“I hold myself incapable of hating any being on Earth. By a long course of prayerful discipline, I have ceased for over 40 years to hate anybody. I know this is a big claim. Nevertheless, I make it in all humility. But I can and do hate evil wherever it exists. I hate the systems of government that the British people have set up in India. I hate the ruthless exploitation of India even as I hate from the bottom of my heart the hideous system of untouchability for which millions of Hindus have made themselves responsible. But I do not hate the domineering Englishmen as I refuse to hate the domineering Hindus. I seek to reform them in all the loving ways that are open to me. My noncooperation has its roots not in hatred, but in love.”
Gandhi, the movie
The (long) 1982 movie Gandhi, with Ben Kingsley playing the lead role, is quite excellent and well worth the three-plus hours of watching it.
On other good deeds in our needy world
Who knew? Michael Jordan built and opened the fourth health clinic in North Carolina for the uninsured.
As the world awaits word on the critical condition of Pope Francis, the legacy of his many good works will be rehearsed again and again. The South American Pope will certainly be remembered for his advocacy for the marginalized as well as his unwavering support for the unborn and all human life. Coming from the global south, no one should have been surprised by his positions and outspokenness on issues of social justice. When Francis passes away or resigns, a “conclave” of Cardinals will assemble to select his successor.
Talk about a great reunion! 94-year-old Barbara Ribiero is reunited with 66-year-old Ben Colwell, whom she rescued from the bottom of a swimming pool when he was 21 months old.
Becoming fit—physically, mentally, and more
Having never actually done a CrossFit workout, I can only go by those who have (and those who teach it). CF champion Scott Panchik once encouraged me to keep my workout moving and to be quick and vary things up…Or something like that.
What I do know is that many kinds of people (young/old; athletic/not) participate in CrossFit and benefit from it. USA Today has written a nice piece on this popular form of exercise.
Things I’ve heard or read this past week
“When we pray, it is always better to pray aloud, even if we only whisper. It keeps us on track. We don’t wander.”
“Moscow is being rewarded for its brutality and aggression, while Ukraine is being punished for its petty and mulish insistence on surviving as a nation and a people.”
“I wake up in cold sweats every so often thinking: What did we bring to the world?” [Tony Fadell, co-developer of the iPhone]
“When children get frightened, they run to their parents. When adults get frightened, they call their fear ‘stress’ and keep it to themselves. We get trained out of community.”
“If you stop taking care of yourself, your mind and body will eventually stop taking care of you.”
As I mentioned above, next week I will be soaking up the sun of Palm Springs, California. But never fear, “Tuesday Afternoon” will be published as usual. My friend Katherine Wetzel will be our guest blogger. You’ll enjoy her insights and wit and spiritual depth. Kathy is a great writer (better than me) and editor (she edits these every week). [Editor’s note: No money was exchanged for any of these comments.]
I’ll be back, blogging away, in two weeks, d.v.
“Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
My memory, my understanding,
And my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
That is enough for me.”
[St. Ignatius of Loyola]
