Every Little Thing Is Going to Be Alright?

November 30, 2023

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:33-34 NLT

I’m invested – deeply invested – in my children’s futures. You feel that way about your children too. But you don’t have to be a parent very long to realize that honest, healthy investment can easily slip into worry and anxiety, even over-management. There’s a fine line between investment and worry.

The Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 5-7 is likely a compilation of the main teachings Jesus shared many times to large crowds. He addressed the most important aspects of living, and right there in the middle of these vital thoughts, Jesus encourages His disciples not to worry. He is very specific: “Don’t worry about food, clothing – the essentials for today – or even or what tomorrow may bring. After all, if your heavenly Father feeds the sparrows and clothes the lilies, surely we can trust Him to provide for us.”

Jesus sounds like Bob Marley might have taken his cue from Jeus: “Don’t worry about a thing, because every little thing is gonna be all right.” We want to believe it, but it just seems too simple and unrealistic, especially about the unknown tomorrow. But He doesn’t stop there. He shows us how to defeat worry – He shifts our focus. Jesus said, “Don’t spend your time worrying about all these things you can’t control anyway. Make it your priority to focus on the kingdom of God and loving as a citizen of it. In that kingdom, the King will give you everything you need.”

Then, ever practical and knowing us so well, Jesus knows it’s more than just food and clothing – it’s everything about tomorrow. He reads our thoughts as He speaks to us. “And don’t worry about tomorrow. It’s too big for you. Tomorrow will bring new things and you’ll start worrying about them too. Just focus on today. Staying within the Kingdom of God with today’s challenges is enough for you. I already know about tomorrow. When you get there, I will be there. Focus on today.”

That’s the priority task for every parent, for every person – instead of worrying about what we need now, our priority is to live as a citizen of the kingdom of God – the rest of our needs follow. The kingdom of God is not heaven. It is not simply being “saved.” When Jesus spoke of living in the kingdom of God, He meant the place where He is King, and His will is the top priority. The root cause of our worry about today and tomorrow is not consistently living with Him as King. Our King will handle it. There is no truly little thing to Him – as He said, He even cares about the sparrows. So every little and big thing will be alright in the kingdom.

• Question: When you’re tempted to worry about your and your child’s future ask, “How can my child and I invest in the kingdom of God today?” Then do it.