Network
People giving at the Police Food Drive at Costco
With examples all around us, we often fail to get the point.
He said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you - you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. - Luke 12:22-31
Do you worry about losing everything you have?
While we were on vacation, a couple from California got a call that their home was threatened by a wild fire raging nearby in the canyon where they live. A friend who was caring for their dogs had called them to tell them he had the dogs and they were safe.
The fear of losing everything was great, but there was comfort in knowing the dogs would not be harmed.
Things can be replaced.
A homeless woman came up to me the other day and told me her coat had been ruined and she can no longer zip it up to stay warm. To her, the coat is everything.
I did not tell her she shouldn't worry, or that God will provide. That wouldn't mean anything to her. I told her instead, I would see if we could get another coat.
I don't know where it will come from, but I have faith that it will come. God works that way. When we listen to the prayers of his children and believe we can find a way through Him, we can move mountains.
We are a network and word travels from one to another through this network. If we believe that God will provide, we believe that God will lead us to those who can help. His Spirit guides us and cares for us.
Just as the birds don't have to worry, we shouldn't either. But we should reach out to one another and for one another.
Everyone I talk to will hear of the need for a coat for this woman. And someone may have a spare coat to give.
That's how it works.
And I am learning it is an amazing system God has created. We just need to have faith.
Oh, and if you have a spare coat, please let me know.
More to come...