First of all, goodness, this church in Corinth had many things that they were trying to get right. All of this stuff they were going through and all these questions that they had for Paul came down to one thing; they were trying to figure out how to act as a community. Everything was changing around them, and they were trying to figure out how they should be and act. What it looked like for them to be followers of Christ. All of that made me think about our Sandhill Cranes. The land they have lived on has changed, but God continues to take care of them. Everything has changed around them, but God has not; God has remained faithful.
In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus teaches us about such things…
26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
I think this is the message from today’s text. Keep God at the center of your life, don’t get caught up in the customs and traditions that distract you. Keep the main thing the main thing, and do not worry about the other things. Be like the Sandhill Cranes, the world will change around us, but we should keep on doing what God has made us to do. For the Cranes, it is to make beautiful little fuzzy babies. For us, it is to…seek the Kingdom of God, to love God and love others as we love ourselves.
Reflection Questions:
- How has the world changed around you over the years?
- How do you work to keep God at the center of your life?
So What Activity: Go outside in God’s creation and look at the birds. Take some time considering how God takes care of all of their needs. Take a walk and let your worries fly away.
Blessings,
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