We’ve all been there. The day starts off on a less-than-good note. You didn’t sleep well. The dog did its thing in the house. The kids aren’t cooperating. You’ve got 17,000 things to do today and about 2 hours (if that) to focus on them before it’s time to start the evening routine of dinner, story time, bedtime, cleaning. Oh, and you only finished 3 things on your list of things to do today. In our reading from Luke’s gospel today, Luke 21:34-22:6, we are given a warning: “Be careful not to get caught up in the anxieties of life or you will find yourself weighed down by them.” While “anxieties of life” means far more than everyday woes and disappointments, let us not be so overcome by those stresses that we forget who we are and where we come from lest we forget the source of our strength. Jesus.
The more we find ourselves caught up in that cycle of bad days, of worrying, of that daunting list of responsibilities, the more susceptible we become to the enemy whispering promises of solace if we would just push Jesus aside to focus on getting through the day. The “chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.” (Luke 22:2) These teachers and chief priests, along with Judas, were worried about their own agenda and prosperity that they would get rid of Jesus to achieve the task of assuaging the people and getting what they wanted. During this Lenten season, let us reflect on the ways we have given into the temptation to put the anxieties of life ahead of our trust in Jesus. Reflection Questions: What are the things that cause you to worry each day? Do you think about Jesus in those moments or simply try to get through it? Take a few moments to put the day and the week into perspective. If you’re feeling anxious about something, pray. Notice how and where God has given you strength to do what needs to be done. Click here for today's additional Scripture texts. Grace and Peace.
2 Comments
Audrey perrine
3/13/2019 11:25:32 am
I need Jesus to get though the day.
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Diane Moore
3/13/2019 03:19:25 pm
I am enjoying your reflections of the work in comparison to our daily lives. I had one of those bad days today. I was reminded throughout the day, thinking of how God has always taken care of me and will continue to do so. The frustrations of life can easily lead to the distractions of God's love for us. I have let some of those distractions get me sidetracked on occasions. Not today and your insights reminded me how blessed I am.
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