#81 Luke 12:22-26 Do Not Worry, Consider God

On July 24, 2022 by Amy Burgin

Joy:
Episode #81 Luke 12:22-26

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin.

Amy:
Amid a world of many words, this podcast makes room for the God-breathed Words, the best words, the ones that rightly convict, correct, teach, and lead us. Each week we read one passage from the Bible several times and create stillness after each reading so we might also be still, listen, and know God more for ourselves.

We are in a very long series that takes us through the book of Luke.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before I read today’s passage, take a minute to pour out your heart to God. Maybe you have a list of questions for which you need answers or a heart filled with hope, grief, gratitude, anger, joy, worry, or a mix of all these things and more. Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to God in the next minute.

[Pause and pour out your heart to God]

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy:
I’m going to read today’s passage two times. As I read, consider the question, what does this tell us about God?

Luke 12:22-26 22 Then 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 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Again?

Take a minute to be still and know what this says about God.

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I reread the passage, consider a different question. What does this tell us about people?

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about people?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?

Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?

Take the next minute to ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you turn your face toward Jesus today and know him more.

One Response

Amy:
Jesus said, “Don’t worry.” I felt led to look up the definition and insert it into the passage. Let me reread verse 22 with the definition inserted.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry, do not give way to anxiety or unease, do not allow your mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. Do not allow your mind to dwell on your life, what you eat; or your body, what you will wear.”

I also learned that our English word worry comes from the Old English word, wyrgan, of West Germanic origin and originally meant “to strangle.” Over time, it grew to mean “to seize by the throat and tear,” and then, “to harass,” and finally “to cause anxiety.” I also discovered the word “anxiety” comes from the Latin word anxius, which means “to choke.”

And doesn’t worry and anxiety come with that feeling? That feeling of being strangled, or choked, cut off from the breath of peace?

Worry and anxiety are popular words in our culture. Of all the Christgazing episodes, Episode 2 and 67 get the most hits. Why? I think it’s because they both have the word anxious in the titles.

I wonder if you have been anything like me? You have heard the command, “Don’t worry,” and you thought “easier said than done. How can I not worry? Sometimes worry seems to take over my mind in such a way that I am rendered helpless.”

I find Jesus giving much more specific instruction here. I hear him asking us, “Where does you remind dwell? Where does your mind stay? Where does your mind reside? When worry and unease try to take over, set your thoughts on me. Consider my love. Consider my goodness as seen through creation. Come to me.”

I’m reminded of the verses from Episodes 2 and 3, Philippians 4:6-8, which says, “4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Closing

Amy:
Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.