| Everyone longs for security. It is a psychological human trait. We want it for our surroundings, in our relationships, and for our futures. When one is secure, one will move to a place of health. When one is secure, one can focus and attend to the things that are larger than basic needs like food, shelter, and preservation. It is not by chance that Jesus often redirected people away from the worry of basic needs, for they are already provided for us by God. In Matthew 6, Jesus said: 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. How interesting that we worry more about security when it is already provided for us. Therefore, rest in him. Listen to the urges to follow the Risen One and seek wholeness that he provides. As we follow his path, we find fulfillment in the physical, the emotional, the spiritual, and the relational. When we are overly concerned about security, we miss the greater blessing he desires to give.  This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Matthew 8 *Tuesday – Matthew 9 *Wednesday- Matthew 10 *Thursday – Matthew 11 *Friday- Matthew 12 Prayer Requests: *Our Confirmands and High School Graduates as they transition. *An immediate end to the crisis in Ukraine. *Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not. *Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. *Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. *Guidance for those seeking to find their way. *Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC. |
| “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6 |