Life as it is…..02/01/2022- Dr. Johnson Cherian

For over a year now, I have been closely watching the birds that come to eat the rice grains that I leave outside my kitchen window and often I am reminded of the words of Jesus to his disciples who were worried about their next meal or food provision in general….. Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26)

Look at the birds – well, we hardly have time for that, for we are mostly looking at our mobile devices or binge watching TV (God save the believer).

Jesus said, “Birds neither sow nor reap or gather into barns”….he didn’t mean we are to sit idle, not working for our food. Many believers in the Church at Thessalonica did just that. The Apostles including Paul preached to them that Jesus was coming back soon, so many of them stopped working. Paul had to then admonish them, saying, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Jesus, here, was stressing the fact that our dependence should not be on what we reap, gather or store, but on the Father in Heaven who sustains his children each and every day.

Jesus was also pointing out to his disciples the very important fact that we, as God’s children are so valuable to him that he would provide for our daily needs, if we were to first seek his kingdom and his righteousness.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

What Jesus meant here was that, we must put God’s interests first in our life, then God will take care of our necessities of life, at present and in the future. If we are to be devoted to the accumulation of financial reserves, we could be never sure we have saved enough because there is always the danger of market collapse, inflation, calamities, prolonged illness and paralyzing accident.

As a child of God, you and me, we are very valuable to God. Much more valuable than birds which the Heavenly father feeds daily.

Whether it be food, clothes or any other genuine need of yours, your Heavenly Father will provide. Trust in him. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.