GPBC Blog

By Vittoria Tanisha--

Hi Faith Family!

How are you? How have you been?

This week I want to share what Jesus has been reminding me these past months. Just for a moment, I invite you to take a deep breath – in and out – and let’s reflect on His words and goodness together. Feel free to take a piece of paper and pen or your phone or just yourself. Pause, reflect, look up at the sky, breathe as you need.
 
I will start by sharing a little bit of what has been going on in my life recently, and then I will share Jesus’ words that I have been thinking about, holding onto, and have been sustaining me.

I’m towards the end of my dual master’s program; I’m graduating mid-June; and my plate has been more than full since the start of the year – only now, it has multiplied ten times. In addition to other roles and responsibilities in life, I have 80-100 teaching licensing portfolio pages due this week, I have licensing exams to study for, research to complete, thesis paper to write and present, and job interviews. Just writing these… My brain and my heart are racing. I cannot help but to be anxious. I cannot help but to be worried.

What are you anxious about? What are you worried about?
 
During this time, I have been constantly contemplating on these words:
Matthew 6, ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth … but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (v19-21)

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life … Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ... your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (v25-34)

Among other things, my “treasures on earth” that have been occupying my heart and mind are: achievement, approval/acceptance of others, and job security. I want to graduate with flying colors; I want people to see me as a capable educator; and I want to get a satisfying job. First of all, it is not wrong to have such goals and to work towards such goals. The birds of the air still look for food and the lilies of the field still absorb nutrients. Jesus acknowledges this. But Jesus is also reminding us that He knows what we need, and He promises to take care of those needs: “Are you not of more value than they [birds]?...Will he not much more clothe you?...Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” He is a sovereign, powerful, and good God. He is always taking care of us.

Furthermore, it is not wrong to possess treasures of the earth. Jesus does say to not lay it all up for self. We are to use it for Jesus and to also share it with His creations. He also reminds us that these earthly treasures should not outweigh how much we value heavenly treasures – the contentment that comes from being with Jesus, the feeling of completeness and wholeness, lacking nothing. He reminds us that such heavenly treasures can give us enjoyment now, that it’s everlasting and incorruptible, unlike earthly treasures. And that the ultimate enjoyment and rest will come when we are reunited with Him. How wonderful is that?

How is Jesus reminding you of the heavenly treasures?
 
To worry about graduating with flying colors, wanting people to see me as a capable educator, and wanting to get a fulfilling job are valid worries. It is not wrong to have a sense of responsibility to accomplish these things. In this world, we have to have a job, be able to communicate, and show that we are great applicants. Jesus recognizes our anxiousness that may stem from these things: “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” He understands that we have needs to be met and the stress that each day brings. What Jesus wants us to know and live by is to not be swallowed by these worries and earthly treasures to the point that we forget who Jesus is and how much He loves and cares for us.

Jesus’ words remind me that He is sovereign over the universe; He knows what is ahead; and He is going to bring me and us to the finish line. I’m being reminded that Jesus values us, and He is going to sustain us. Furthermore, Jesus didn’t just tell us to stop worrying. He told us to replace our worry with a heart for the kingdom of God: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” To think about how to line up our purpose and everyday lives with God’s will.

So, Faith Community, let us:
Trust. Surrender. Have faith. Rest in Jesus. Be a part of His big story.
 
How is Jesus reminding you that He loves you and that He takes care of your needs and worries?
How is your story a part of God’s Big Awesome Story?
 
Wherever we are on our journey, may we be reminded that Jesus is sovereign, He knows the road ahead. He loves us. He values us. He takes care of us. He’s got us. May we also be reminded that our perfect contentment comes from being with Jesus. May we feel content as we take part in God’s amazing story.
 
What is Jesus reminding you of today?
 
Thank you for taking some time to reflect with me today. I invite you to continue to reflect and/or continue the conversation with others.