May 27
Joseph S. Matney
The Upper Room May-June
The Upper Room Inc

Prepare and Wait

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Matt 6:34

Whenever we talked about worry my grandmother Stallard, a woman of great faith, would say, "The worst things in my life never happened."  ...Jesus talks clearly about worry. He urges his followers to trust in God to meet their needs. Jesus gives examples of the many creatures God has cared for- the birds of the air and the grasses of the field---and promises that our loving God will do no less for us. As I try to apply this passage to my own life, my biggest challenge involves knowing when to act and when to wait for

God to act. A friend helped me understand how to balance the need for personal action and faith in God by describing a kind of acacia tree that grows in the arid plains of central Africa. This acacia endures the droughts of summer, fall, and winter by withering to conserve moisture. But many weeks before even a hint of the spring rains, the trees start to show green and extend new leaves and new branches to better absorb the as yet unseen moisture.
 I see the acacia as an example of expectant living. We work to get ready before we have proof. And we can live without worry, knowing that a good and gracious God will supply what we need. Get ready!

Prayer:  Gracious and loving God, give us the wisdom to act in faith even in the face of uncertainty. Amen

Thought for the Day  Rely on God and live expectantly. 

Reflection
Another way of living risen life. crsr