“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" Matthew 6:25 NIV
For all of our lives, most of us have had shelters over our heads, food in our fridges and cupboards, and more clothes than we need. We take it for granted. We have never needed to worry because it's always been there. If we get nothing else from this scripture, we should remember all we have and give thanks.
This is not true for much of the world and even in our communities. Folks suffer food insufficiency daily, sleep out in the elements, and wear the same clothes for weeks, with no access to bathrooms and a way to bathe. The ladies live in constant fear of physical and sexual abuse. That is the grim reality. This past Saturday, I prayed with two separate gentlemen at L Street Mission. These gentlemen expressed the same two things during our conversations; thanks for what they have and love for Jesus.
That, my friends, is very humbling to me. At the end of that day, I could get in my car and drive to a safe home with electricity and plumbing, plenty of food, and a closet full of clothes. I give God thanks for these things, yet life is certainly more than these possessions; I know that, yet I needed these two gentlemen to remind me what this means.
Gracious Father, we give you thanks for all we have. We confess we so often take them for granted. God, please forgive us and help us to remember our greatest gift is you. Even if all the comforts to which we are accustomed were to disappear, we still have you. You love us because we are your children. Help us remember those sisters and brothers who are without today, create in us a love and compassion for our neighbors. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
Let me know if you are interested in volunteering at L Street Mission. It is a true blessing. It is like the best Sunday morning worship service ever.
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