The day after Sunday Service is often a day of discoveries at our church. I discover a Bible that was forgotten, half of a cookie that is semi-pulverized into the carpet, glitter from the children’s ministry art project that went with the day’s story, and a new coffee stain from an accidental spill. The fuller the service is, the more discoveries there are on Monday mornings. Each discovery is from a person and brings a joy to my soul that our church is touching lives with the good news of Jesus Christ.
This morning I discovered a plastic ring with an empty setting in one room and its missing gem outside on the entrance mat. I wondered which child lost it and what their reaction was when they noticed it missing. Perhaps it was on their car ride home and the child noticed an unadorned finger. A quick look on the car floor and the car seat may have brought pleas of returning to the church to look for this “valuable jewelry”.
I imagined rational reasoning from the parents that it was just a fake ring, only plastic or maybe it will still be there when they come to church next time. Were there tears from the child who did not understand that an imitation ring should not hold such a place of importance in their heart? The plastic ring and plastic gem were placed side by side on the coffee table for a happy reunion.
What do you panic over? Each of us outgrows panicking over plastic jewelry. Instead our anxiety is placed on adult versions of plastic jewelry; how we look, what we will wear, our shape and our health. When we discover that the plastic that adorned us is no longer there, we look for it in panic and want to make a special trip to get it back because suddenly it has become the most important thing in our life.
Jesus noticed His disciples were worrying about things that were plastic.
Luke 12:22-23,31,34
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The solution Jesus gives us to get over plastic anxieties is to focus our heart on treasures in His kingdom. Treasures like peace, joy, courage, valor, hope, and love.
What helps you seek His kingdom and not a plastic kingdom?
This morning I discovered a plastic ring with an empty setting in one room and its missing gem outside on the entrance mat. I wondered which child lost it and what their reaction was when they noticed it missing. Perhaps it was on their car ride home and the child noticed an unadorned finger. A quick look on the car floor and the car seat may have brought pleas of returning to the church to look for this “valuable jewelry”.
I imagined rational reasoning from the parents that it was just a fake ring, only plastic or maybe it will still be there when they come to church next time. Were there tears from the child who did not understand that an imitation ring should not hold such a place of importance in their heart? The plastic ring and plastic gem were placed side by side on the coffee table for a happy reunion.
What do you panic over? Each of us outgrows panicking over plastic jewelry. Instead our anxiety is placed on adult versions of plastic jewelry; how we look, what we will wear, our shape and our health. When we discover that the plastic that adorned us is no longer there, we look for it in panic and want to make a special trip to get it back because suddenly it has become the most important thing in our life.
Jesus noticed His disciples were worrying about things that were plastic.
Luke 12:22-23,31,34
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The solution Jesus gives us to get over plastic anxieties is to focus our heart on treasures in His kingdom. Treasures like peace, joy, courage, valor, hope, and love.
What helps you seek His kingdom and not a plastic kingdom?
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