Live and Let Liveਨਮੂਨਾ

6. Treasure Trunks (Part 2)

Work, Don’t Worry

Work, don’t worry. For worrying does not work!

Search and rescue workers often have the saying, “work, don’t worry.” When they are sorting through the debris, searching through a hazardous area, and responding to the cries for help, there is no time for worry, only for work.

Worrying only slows them down, while hastening to do the work might save lives. When they worry, whether it is about more possible victims, things at home, loved ones and more, it only steals their focus. But when they do the work, rescues that are still possible are made in time, hazardous environments can be cleared and secured, and what was humanly possible could be achieved. For everything else, the miraculous can never be ruled out.

When you put in the necessary work, you don’t need to put in needless worry either. Because when you are doing all that you can do, God can be trusted to come through and do what only He can do. Worrying only steals your focus from the task at hand. In fact, worry makes us less productive, for our energy becomes spread too thin.

Prioritizing work over worry is also prioritizing light over darkness. It is placing the kingdom of God above the kingdom of this world. It is placing your hope in the King who created the world, instead of fearing the temporary ruler of this world. When you treasure God’s kingdom, you can trust in its King.

The 18th-century theologian and evangelist, John Wesley, said, “Save all you can. Earn all you can. Give all you can. Enjoy it all.” This just about sums up how Matthew 6 calls us to live and let live. When Jesus spoke of treasures in heaven instead of earth, again, it was a call to our hearts and perspectives, rather than savings and provisions. It was a call to prioritize the heavenly over the earthly, trusting our King over our finances, and keeping an eternal perspective while still having to deal with our current challenges on earth.

When we view things through an eternal lens, it shines light on all our current challenges as well. When we live in the light of these things, the dark clouds, the fears, the worry, succumb to faith, which in turn lets us live. Because putting God first shows faith. And what follows is His faithfulness.

In the end, the question remains: Who is your master? Because everything else will follow suit. Life is more than the things we chase after, but when we chase after God, we find many of these things falling into place. When we live for God, He also lets us live fulfilled lives.

So, let’s live and let live!
Let’s find faith in the face of fear.
Let’s work and not worry.
For worrying does not work!

Let’s Live and Let Live:

• What fears and worries do you currently have that are stealing your focus?
  Bring them to God in prayer and ask for the faith and focused work needed instead.
• How can you serve Christ as your Lord and Master through your daily work?
• Where are you trusting our Father in heaven to provide for the specific needs of yourself and/or others? Which prayers or actions can you contribute to this?