Reflection:  Care-Less in the Fight

Watch and wonder today how birds of the air and lilies of the field are utterly dependant. That’s how we too can rest, confident in our heavenly Father’s care, explained Jesus (Matthew 6:25-33). Care-less-ly content.

But be also fiercely content.

Not only does he meet our physical needs but, at great cost, our Father has given us a down-payment on eternal rest – peace with God through Jesus Christ, forgiveness and righteousness – which we tenaciously treasure. As long as the Kingdom of God is now-and-not-yet there’s a battle for this treasure. Pursue the Kingdom of God above all else… continued Jesus, and your Father will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:30, 33). Or as Paul writes to Timothy, flee and fight, strive for and seize! (1 Timothy 6:11-12).

The juxtaposition of these two radical images has me a little giddy with excitement. As inheritors of the Kingdom of God we show our true colours no more clearly than when we marry care-less and fierce contentment. How distinctive confidence in God’s goodness is in a culture obsessed with ‘more’. How distinctive persistent faithfulness is in a culture of ‘I want it now’.

Prayer:  I ask today for sustenance and quiet confidence in your fatherly care. For forgiveness and faith through your gracious Son. For perspective and perseverance through your lively Spirit. And for the chance to share the treasure of contentment with someone today.

(For further reading, Paul continues with practical advice to Timothy: ‘Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.’ 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV)