Thoughtful Reflections

While going over Eckhart Tolle's book, A New Earth, I realized how captive to my ego I am. I am in a place of dependence upon God. The parable of Jesus that says "take no thought for tomorrow--if God takes care of flowers and birds--He'll take care of you? I can't even plumb the depths of what that really means. I think I take care of me, but God really takes care of me. I think I supply my own needs, but God really supplies my needs.

I am ego proud. I want to be the provider for my family. Not having enough money makes me anxious and fearful. Now there must be some constructive and positive connection between work and reward. God Himself tells us to do good works and build upon a solid foundation of the gospel. So what does Jesus mean when he says, "take no thought for tomorrow?" Tomorrow will take care of itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

Does it mean to be fully present in today? Does it mean to invite the Divine Presence into today, knowing that by acknowledging and practicing the Divine Presence in our daily lives we will transform our daily lives?

Maybe the connection is the still small voice within that speaks peace in the midst of my anxiety storm. That voice that speaks direction when I feel lost. That voice that speaks joy, when I feel sorrow. That voice that speaks peace when I feel confused.

Listen up! Me. Take no thought, no intellectual-izing, no fear, no anxiety about tomorrow! But give the anxiety to God. You will then be able to hear His calming assurance and receive His direction for your life. Be assured of this, the same God that looks after little sparrows that fall, and has the hairs on your head numbered is the God who gives direction for your life.

Economic news is bad. It will mess with your head and fire up the fear in your emotions. But stop and listen to the still small voice in the inside. It tells us to have peace in the middle of storms of doubt and fear. If God cares about sparrows and flowers, God must care about us humans as well.

Don't be afraid. Have faith in God. Lean not to your own understanding and God will direct your path. So God, how do we become a church that not only meets its own needs but also the needs of others? Your thoughts?