I was planning to include a verse or two in this post; but when I looked at Matthew 6 in The Message, I got so caught up in reading it that I decided to use more than one or two verses! I appreciate the freshness of this version, and these particular words (verses 25-34) speak volumes to me...
If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
4 comments:
I love your paint color for your new room. And I rejoice with you for the end of your school year! Much needed rest is at hand I'm sure. Congrats on your sweet boy turning four. It is evident how much you cherish your wonderful family. God Bless You
Thank you for sharing those verses. It's something I need to keep in mind more often!!
I suggest you study this:
http://www.bible-researcher.com/themessage.html
Dear Anonymous,
It's too bad you didn't feel like you could sign your name to your comment. I don't mind a little controversy...in fact, I welcome constructive criticism because I believe that can lead to much growth...however, it's hard to have a useful dialogue with "anonymous."
I read the article you suggested and found it interesting. As a woman who speaks Hebrew, I am fully aware of the fact that The Message is far from a literal translation. However, I still find benefit in the fresh way it presents itself. It is by no means the only "version" I read; in fact, it is not the one I most commonly read. I think more highly of certain of Peterson's verses than I do of others, but I'm not willing to declare The Message off-limits because of that...or because of any of the objections raised in the article you suggested.
If you want to come back and discuss this further, feel free to do so. Just sign your name next time, OK?
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