MORNING’S MANNA

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.” Matthew 6:26

One morning I sat by my kitchen window drinking coffee and watched the birds at our little blue bird feeder. As I watched the birds peck at their breakfast, I noticed the other critters scurrying about. I observed the chipmunks and squirrels collecting the seeds that had fallen from the bird feeder above. Once their cheeks brimmed with food they collected the chipmunks dashed away to their burrows, only to return later for more!

Chipmunks, like people, store up all they can on earth. They take all they can get, scrounging the ground in greed but never satisfied. Then they retreat back to their dens with the loot. The next day, they repeat the process, storing up their treasures on earth. Earthly treasure that will soon fade away…

Birds, however, are different. They take only what they need for that day, like the Israelites collecting manna when they lived in the wilderness. Jesus says to “look at the birds” and see how well they are taken care of. After all, look how beautifully our Creator has clothed them and look at how faithfully He feeds them each day.

What is worrying you? As a young adult, many of my life’s worries are from money and materialism. I struggle with my heart posture towards things that are valuable to the world but of no value to God. I am sometimes blinded by the charm of material wealth, worldly success and honor or accolades from others. But such things will soon fade away in this fleeting life.

Sometimes the things we desire for are not the things that are in God’s will for us. Jesus encourages us to trust God to provide everything. How much more valuable are we than the birds? He will provide much more to us when we trust Him and stop endlessly chasing the wind on our mission to acquire material possessions.

We are called to store up our treasure in Heaven. Why place our loyalty and trust in things that will eventually fade? Storing up Heavenly treasures is a process of obedience to God. As we do this, we seek the fulfillment of God’s purpose in all that we do. Worrying about the things here on earth will not do us any good or add a single second to our life. Worrying takes away so much more than we realize! Concern for certain things moves us to action and action gives us momentum. But worry immobilizes.

Trust in the Lord to provide and ask Him to remove your worries. Fix your eyes on Jesus and He will give you rest and bring you peace among all the other things He provides.

A Prayer for Times of Worry: Dear Lord, I fix my eyes on you today. I chose to relax in your love and kindness and trust that you will provide for me. Father, you know what I need before I even ask for it. Bring health to my eyes and fill my body with light so that I can remain in You today and everyday. Give me your desires in my heart. Help me to realize how temporary my time is here on earth. I ask that you remove any greed that is present in my life. I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ. Amen.