When I logged in to Facebook today there was one topic on everyone’s mind: the impending shut down of the government. The responses ranged from cynicism, to concern, to fear. Then I read this:
I think Todd’s on to something.
The overwhelming negative responses to the government shut down come from our natural desire for security and safety. We rely on our federal government to provide these things for us. In our postmodern context the government is perceived to be solid ground. Not that we think they are always doing a good job or that we agree with the politics. But, the government is our safety net, like that old comfortable shoe. It might have holes in it, but it’s always there.
The government, is for us a constant, an institution. It’s like Red says (there are two “bad” words in this scene, don’t watch the clip if you’re easily offended):
The government is our wall. At first we hate it and then we come to depend on it. This is our reality. With the government shut down we are all feeling a sense of discomfort and uneasiness.
My hope is that you would take full advantage of the government shut down and wrestle with why you find your sense of security in the government. If you are a follower of Jesus our security comes from the reality that God is sovereign, good, and in control of all things.
Take some today and reflect on what Jesus says,
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
