“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers 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—you of little faith?” Matthew 6:28-30 (NIV).
This is one of my favorite verses in the whole bible. Matt chapter six is full of wisdom and describes the perspective we can have on life, through Christ Jesus. In this verse, its wisdom goes against human instinct. It says that worrying about one of the basic human needs, clothing, should be overlooked. Snowboarders/Skiers like new gear. We commonly use clothing in society to show that we have everything together. We like to use our outerwear to justify that we deserve to drop at the top of the pipe and belong frothing for fresh tracks.
With Christ holding our hand we don’t need to desperately search for something to give our life meaning anymore. Instead of choosing whether or not we should focus on next season’s gear, we can let Christ build something in us that won’t leave or pass away. We can let Christ create our identity. Clothes are transient, they give us an illusion of identity. Yet, Christ is constant. He welcomes us as his Children. Clothes come and go, seasons come and go, our feelings come and go–but Christ’s love for us does not. His promises stand through the march of time.
I don’t know about you, but my season in Mammoth got cut severely short. I am writing this looking out my window at the snow-covered mountains, “ready to shredy” but I can’t help but think about my lack of a job, direction, and the seeming inability to make my life greater than what it is today.
Now, I could worry about where to continue working, how to pay my bills, what direction I want to take my life, and how to make the most of my time or I could use the same faith used in Matt 6:28-30 to realize that I am not the one who will bring my own life into meaning, fullness, and success. Jesus will.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) says, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” I choose to not worry but to instead trust that the living God will make a way where there feels like there is no way. He will fulfill the promises he has made to me. I could worry and try and accomplish what I deem as socially normal or good for me. Or, I can accept the closure of my ski resort and realize God is taking me for a greater ride than I could have ever given myself. Don’t worry, for the Lord holds your tomorrow. Focus on Christ and he will guide you through today’s ride.
CHALLENGE
Where have I been trying to achieve success through my own actions without relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to finish the rad work he started?
Where can I let go of stressing over things I cannot change?
What areas of my life am I able to release to the Lord and watch them grow through His strength?
By Nathan Everson | Mammoth, CA