Earthly Anxieties & Heavenly Priorities
3/17/25 Bible Thought (Luke 12)
I’m a bit of a chronic worrier. If something could go wrong, I often know the ways it might, and even how to try and avoid them. In terms of sinful thoughts, it’s an area where I have to grow, probably more than all others. I thank God that by His grace I’m making progress. Yet, it’s something I still battle on a regular basis. I’m sure some of you struggle with it as well.
It fascinates me that it’s still a problem, when I consistently have found in my life that a lot of my worries never come to fruition. There are still times when I devote thought and energy to various anxieties and how to solve a problem that never ends up becoming a problem. I’m learning to trust God ahead of time with these things, and if there’s ever a major problem, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. I’m not going to torture myself with worries about it in the meantime because there’s a good chance, like the others, it won’t come to pass. If it does, God will take care of me.
In the context of Luke 12, there are a variety of earthly concerns that surface. One’s own life (Lk. 12:4-7). The desire for riches and material prosperity (Lk. 12:13-21). Or just the desire for simple provision (Lk. 12:22-31). All of these things, in moderation, are important. It’s good to take care of our physical needs down here, truly God has set it up that we have to eat and drink to stay alive amongst these other things. The problem comes when our worry about these things or even our excessive love for these things distracts us from what truly matters most.
What matters most is laying up treasures in heaven and seeking first the Kingdom. If we’re worried about our lives, we can trust that we are held in the Sovereign and loving hand of God. Jesus points out that sparrows are nearly worthless (being sold for a fraction of a penny) and yet they aren’t lost in God’s sight. Surely, we are of much more value than sparrows (Lk. 12:7). If God cares for the little sparrow, then certainly He cares for me too as one made in His image! Jesus says that even the hairs of our head are numbered (Lk. 12:7) and last I checked this number is constantly changing! Yet, our loving Father keeps a running tally of them. How great His care is for us!
Furthermore, He feeds the ravens and provides for them, and He clothes the lilies of the field in better raiment than Solomon in his glory (Lk. 12:24-27). If God is so faithful to the smaller aspects of creation, then surely, He’ll be faithful to care for us as the crown of His creation, today. Truly, God knows our needs. He knows we care about our lives and our provision and our health. Yet, by worrying we can’t even add an hour to the entire span of our lives (Lk. 12:25). Our worries don’t change a single thing, empower us, or make any difference at all! If we are so powerless in the grand scheme of things, we ought to humbly cast our anxieties on the One who is all-powerful who likewise cares for us.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:6-7).
Rather than worrying about all these natural things, we can trust God and instead focus on His Kingdom. Jesus says,
“Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Lk. 12:31-32).
Rather than busying ourselves with all manner of earthly concerns, we can trust that God will be faithful to care for us. Furthermore, rather than being busied with earthly successes and laying up riches on earth, we should be aiming to be rich toward God (see Lk. 12:21).
In a life filled with all manner of distractions, whether they be anxieties or worries, or whether they be material gain and great possessions, the believer is to put the Kingdom of God as top priority. We aren’t to fit serving God merely into the periphery of our lives as our earthly concerns empty us of all our time or energy. Our service to God and our seeking His Kingdom are not the icing on the cake of our lives they’re the whole cake! In a world filled with earthly anxieties, let us not lose sight of the heavenly priorities that have been given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Feel like you were writing directly to me, the worrier. Thanks for a great message.
Thank you for this encouragement. My mind often wanders into the world of worry. Even now, as I write this comment, there are a couple of things that I am "worried" about. And it is hard to surrender the uncertainty and fear to God.