Saturday June 13, 2020

Matthew 6:28-34

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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 O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying “What shall we eat? Or What shall drink? Or what shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But Seek first His Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Rick Warren wrote the book “The Purpose Driven life! More than 62 million copies have been sold in more than 85 languages. It begins with the simple words, “It’s not about you!”.

Who would buy and read a book that begin with “It’s not about you!”, especially in a world that promotes selfishness, self-centeredness, self-preservation, self-promotion, and self-absorption on every street corner?

Who, someone who would want to be happy, have peace, one who would make the choice to follow Jesus, Jesus who was the least self-centered man who ever lived? Jesus is who Christians choose to follow; entering a new way of life defined here as “Seeking God’s Kingdom First” God’s Kingdom is selfless.

Jesus would teach this simple truth about what God’s Kingdom looks like, “Love God with all your heart all your soul, and all your mind… and love your neighbor like you love yourself” Matthew 22:37,39 Love too is selfless, can’t be self-centered, is centered in the one who first loved all of us, “Love covers a multitude of sins”

Sam J Jones, an actor on his way up in 1980, playing Flash Gordon in the movie of the same name and then later the lead role in the TV series, “The Highwayman”. Sam’s life derailed. Years later he read those first word of the book Rick Warren wrote, ‘It’s not about you”. It was the beginning of a positive life change.

Self-centeredness might be the foundation of all sin, the idea that one is so important that nothing else, no one else, not even God is that important, only I am. Selflessness, Christ centeredness might be the foundation of the righteousness that Jesus said we should seek first right along with the kingdom of God. There is no doubt that Jesus led a selfless life, the cross he voluntarily picked up tells us that. Jesus also tells us to “Pick up your cross and follow me”. I don’t think it is necessarily suffering he is talking about, nor a real cross, just a selfless, Christ center life that honors God and loves our neighbor. This is the place happiness and peace come from, the abundant life is discovered, and the life of a disciple is lived out. It’s the “Good Life!”.

In a self-centered world, Christians shine in the beauty of selfless Christ centered life.

I confess I am tired of it being about me and the misery that produces, the anxiety it creates, the fear it magnifies, forgive me, and set me free. Jesus, I want to be your disciple, I want to follow you. Today I seek after your Kingdom first, your righteousness first and not mine. Help me to love others like you love me and God, know that I love you. I accept your promise that all things that really matter will be given into my life from your gracious hand and the peace and assurance that only comes from you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.