“A truly useless endeavour”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Luke 12: 22-31 (Forward, p. 30) CEV p. 1077

It is probably something that most of us are guilty of, but why? What I am speaking of is ‘worry’. Mark Twain was once quoted as saying, “I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened”, and how true this is.

However, in this regard, Jesus offers some even saner advice for us who are His friends and family:

Worrying doesn’t get us anywhere. It can’t increase the span of our

lives even one iota; indeed, probably just the opposite. Seeing as

we can’t control even such small or trifling aspects of our lives, why

should we worry about the rest?

God cares for us and values us, knows our every need, and is

committed to providing for us—so, why not leave this in His

capable hands? Indeed, to worry about such things simply

demonstrates a lack of faith in Him.

Instead, we should merely seek, and work for, His kingdom

and let Him take care of the rest.

So, it is best to simply concentrate on His work and ‘leave the worrying to Him’. Thanks be to God that this is one thing we don’t even have to think or worry about.

Forward notes: “And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” (verse 25)

“One of the least helpful things that has been said to me in times of anxiety or worry is, ‘Don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine.’ That phrase adds a new layer of worry: it makes me worry about being worried. But the

instructions to not fear or worry often offered in Scripture ring differently for me because they are founded on God’s faithfulness toward us.

“God’s providence in my life has been nothing short of astonishing. During a period of extreme turmoil in my life, God provided for me in ways I could not have imagined. In a span of three months, my mother died very suddenly, and my son was born. I was completely off balance, and I was worried.

“God showed up with a community rather than a platitude. In the grief and in the joy of those difficult months, a community showed up to cry with me, to rejoice with me, and to help me to hand my worry and anxiety over to God.”

Moving Forward: “Does someone need you to help carry their worry? Step in and share the burden.”