April 17th, 2013
What, me worry? It’s a well-known quote by Alfred E. Neuman of Mad Magazine fame. You’ve said it, haven’t you, and you know that it’s not original with Mad Magazine don’t you?
Jesus made that comment in Matthew 6:25 and repeated it a few times for emphasis. Have we been listening? I’m not sure it’s that we haven’t been listening. I have an idea that it’s more that we unconsciously conform to the prevailing social pressure around us. It’s easy to say, “Why should I be different”?
No, no. I’m not preaching at anyone. Fighting pressure is an equal opportunity job. Consider the advertising business. It tends to invite everyone to the same level. “You need this”, “You can’t live without this new tool…or dress…or pair of shoes…or jewels…or…”
Jesus reminds us that the birds are fed by our heavenly Father, and shouldn’t we rely on Him, too? The Apostle Peter, with firsthand experience, tells us to dump all our cares on God because he cares for us. Actually, if you want to reduce the worry quotient a bit more, read the verse to say that God also does the caring in our stead. We have that worry off our minds because we have someone who assures us that our needs will be met (whew, what a relief), but we can stop fretting because fretting and being anxious is taken in hand by our heavenly father.
What, me worry?
Norm