City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh.

The Word

²² And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. ²⁴ Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! ²⁵ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁶ If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? ²⁷ Consider the lilies, 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. ²⁸ But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

-Luke 12:22-28 ESV

Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ. 

-Philippians 4:6-7 TPT

Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour.

-1 Peter 5:7-8 TPT

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s verses show us how worry/anxiety is a distraction from something else God may be trying to show us in the present moment. Let’s take a deeper look at our passage from Luke. 

First, Jesus instructs His disciples: “Do not be anxious about your life…” (Luke 12:22). This tells us that anxiety is a mindset we can surrender to or put in its proper place. Jesus was trying to help His disciples put it in its proper place. 

He does this by showing them the limitations of anxiety and worry: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?” (Luke 12:25-26).

I love the way Jesus frames this. To Him, adding a single hour to life is a “small thing.” (Luke 12:26). That just shows us the expansiveness of God. Most of us would do anything to get a little more time, and with God, the seemingly impossible things that cause us so much stress and worry are gloriously simple. Jesus’ yoke is easy because He does all the work!: 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

-Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

Further, Jesus points His disciples to tangible examples of God’s goodness and glorious provision to all His creation: “Consider the ravens…” (Luke 12:24). “Consider the lilies…” (Luke 12:27). Jesus is masterful in helping the disciples shift their focus from what they’re worried about into the present moment and onto God’s goodness and faithfulness. 

Tuning into what God is doing right now is a powerful way to stay engaged in faith and attuned to God’s voice. If we shift our energy to trusting God rather than our own futile efforts, then we can enter the rest of God, take upon His easy yoke, and live life in joyful fellowship with Him. 

Application

Each of us must decide what to do with the time we are allotted. We each get a choice. Worry doesn’t just “happen” to us. It’s something we decide to focus our energy on in times of stress and uncertainty. 

What if, instead, you chose to focus on God in those times? The next time you find yourself beginning to worry, get curious with God and ask Him what He is trying to show you. Shift your focus from your needs to your deepest desire: fellowship with a holy God who loves you. 

Prayer

Let’s turn this devotional into a short breath prayer: 

As you still your mind, silently say: “Lord Jesus, you know all my needs,” breathing in as you do. 

Then, again, in silent prayer, say “I will put my trust in You,” and breathe out.

Do this a few times, silently saying “Lord Jesus, you know all my needs” as you inhale, and silently saying “I will put my trust in You” as you exhale.