Jesus said: “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. . . . Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. . . . Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. Yet, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like them.”
Matthew 6:25-28
Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:
- This passage is from Jesus’s wisdom in the Sermon on the Mount, usually titled, “Do Not Worry.” It encourages us to trust in God as our Source and Provider.
- When Jesus says “look” and “consider,” he means to observe and notice that the birds have enough to eat and that the flowers radiate their own beauty. This is our evidence that God cares for all creation, including us, and our reassurance that all our needs are being met.
- Worry is upside-down faith. It adds nothing to our lives and blocks our view of the grace and goodness already around us.
- Abundance and prosperity are much more than money and possessions. They’re about our overall well-being and quality of life.
- Sometimes, when we consider our abundance, we confuse Needs (the essentials) and Wants (the extras). Discernment helps us distinguish which is which.
- Discerning Needs and trusting abundance is often based on circumstance. For example, if we’re hungry, we need to eat. And if we’re grieving a loss, we need time to cry and mourn.
- Trusting in abundance helps us see beyond the immediate and stay open to whatever will be best in the future.
- In Healing Letters, a collection of her teachings, Metaphysician Myrtle Fillmore says that we can discover “the Truth about supply” and our ability to recognize which “daily supplies” we need. She reminds us that God’s will is for everyone to live abundantly.
Contemplation Questions:
As you reflect on your life and circumstances, ask yourself:
- What are my Needs now?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much as applies. For example, this can range from food, medicine, and money to sleeping an extra hour, taking a vacation, or getting help organizing the garage.
- When I consider my Needs, which are true Needs now and which are Wants I can fulfill later?
- Breathing deeply, contemplate all the Needs again.
- As you feel guided, mark “N” for Needs and “W” for Wants.
- Then, create a new list, word map, or illustration for both categories.
- Focusing only on the Needs, what can I do to meet them?
- First, list, word map, or illustrate what you can do today.
- Then, add what else you can do tomorrow and in subsequent days.
- Focusing only on the Wants, which are my true heart’s desires?
- Breathing deeply, contemplate all the Wants.
- As you feel guided, circle or highlight your true heart’s desires.
- Then, create a new list, word map, or illustration of these.
- After all my Daily Needs are met, what can I do to begin fulfilling my desires?
- First, list, word map, or illustrate what you can do today.
- Then, add what else you can do tomorrow and in subsequent days.
- If I’m worrying about my Needs or Wants, what are at least three (3) things I can do to center myself in faith?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much as you can imagine.
- Besides noticing the birds and the flowers, what other evidence and assurance do I have of God as my Source and Provider?
- List, word map, or illustrate everything you notice.
Work with this devotional slowly, especially if you have felt overwhelmed or worried about your abundance. As much as possible, focus on the present and what you can do to meet today’s needs. Keep an attitude of gratitude and celebrate whatever you already have. Then give thanks in advance for what is yet to come, and trust that it already is yours.
© 2022 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.
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