This Is US!
Pt. 5 - Chillin'
I. Introduction
“When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” That was the declaration of the Ralph Ellison who was the author of the Invisible Man. Do you know who you are? If you do not, then it isn't Jesus' fault because He climbs a mountain, sits down and takes considerable time to tell us who we are supposed to be. He says this is us . . . blessed, square pegs & spotlights, grown ups and last week extras!
Matthew 6:19-34
“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have! “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both. “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds. “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Message)
Jesus. . . knowing that we will face life and the daily concerns of health care, grocery bills, house payments, car repairs, college tuition, stock markets, retirement and the incessant cry from society to compete with neighbors we don't even really know . . . Tries to make it very clear that we don't have to become consumed or trapped by the rat race. We are in fact supposed to be care free!
This is US . . . Chillin!
He tells us to be care free when it comes to fashion, food, finances. How can He possibly tell us to live like that? How can He tell us to not worry. Not to fret. Not to lay in bed at night worried about making ends meet. How dare He tell me to relax! Doesn't He know the pressure I am under? And now He has the audacity to tell me I am supposed to live care free and worry free. How is that even possible? Thankfully, He gives us the answer towards the end.
We can chill because of two reasons:
1. He says we can be care free because we are cared for!
If we were fatherless, then we could not fearless. But because we have a Father watching over us we can rest in His care. We know He cares for birds but forget that He cares for us. Too many of us know He cares for the person 3 rows up and fail to realize or live like He cares about us! Some of us just need to stop for a moment and come to grips with the implications of the insight Jesus gives us in this passage. God cares about us. Let that sink in. The King of the universe knows us and cares. He is moved by our pain. He is motivated by our lack. He is for us! He is compassionate towards us. Talk about a perspective and outlook changer. Jesus even tells us that God will do His best by us. Knowing that I am cared for allows me to chill! I don't have do this as if I am alone. I have an involved, compassionate Father. I have a parter investing in me! I have backup. I have a wingman. Too many of this know this as head knowledge but then we live/worry/fret/fear as if we are in this all by ourselves. Our stress level may be an accurate indication of our solo level. If we knew we weren't alone in this fight, then would we be as overwhelmed and anxious?
2. He says we can chill because He is capable.
Do you ever run into one of those people that hear about your need and say something like "I wish I could help, if I could help, if I was rich I would lend a hand." They care but they aren't capable! Good intentions but no ability to intervene. Jesus says we will never get that type of response from our Father. The reason we can chill is because our Father isn't one of those people who care but have no resources to do anything about what they care about. No, Jesus says relax. God not only cares but He is capable. He has all the resources necessary to assist. He isn't like the guy that knows you are having transportation issues and he shakes your hand and shows concern but refuses to lend you one of the 6 cars he has at home. No, God sees our need and like a good father He responds accordingly. We can chill. We can take comfort in the fact that He cares but He is also capable of meeting the need.
The only caveat Jesus even adds is an important one that we tend to overlook. He says, "You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." Notice He didn't say that our Father would give us our every whim and wish. He doesn't tell us that He will give us the latest iPhone when the one we have works perfectly fine. He doesn't say God is obligated to move you and your spouse out of a 2000 sq. ft. house to a 7000 sq. ft. house. He doesn't say God will replace the hamburger on your plate with a t-bone. He says God will met our everyday concerns. Our needs. The essentials. We want to write checks that God isn't obligated to cash. We tend to overextend ourselves and then run to God to bail us out. One of the responsibilities of every parent is to teach their children how to handle provisions and to live within their means. Our Heavenly Father can do no less than be a good father. He is capable but He is also committed to our character. So, He will not allow His capacity to provide comfort to override the development of our character.
Jesus comes face to face with a man that is in need and in the exchange between them, Jesus combats our lack of understanding of these two chill producing facts. In Luke 5, we read about a sick man who at least has some understanding/comprehension of the resources of the One he has encountered, but not the intentions of the One he has encountered. This dying man approaches Jesus and says, "If you are willing you could heal me!" We only approach Jesus one of two ways . . . Do you approach Him like this . . . I know You can but don't know if You will. Or is your approach . . . I know You want to but don't know if You can.
I know You can but I am not really convinced You will! I know You have power but I am not sure You have compassion! I know You have healing I am not sure You have heart! I know You have provision but I am not sure I am a priority. Or I know You desire to I don't know if You will demonstrate the ability. I know You love me but don't know if You are loaded with the necessary power to do this. Jesus kills both birds with one stone. Jesus response is not only do I have the capacity but I also have the desire. Chill. I can and I care!
Are you facing shortage? What should our response be? Chillin. He has more than enough for me. Facing sickness . . . Response? Chillin. By His stripes we were healed. Facing the unknown . . . Freak out? No . . . Chillin! He loves me so much He goes before me! He explores the unknown so I can hold His hand and enter it with confidence. God's got us and He's got this!
Why should I feel discouraged and why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home?
When Jesus is my portion, a constant Friend is He,
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.
Let not your heart be troubled; these tender words I hear;
And resting on his goodness I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted; whenever clouds arise;
When songs give place to sighing; when hope within me dies;
I draw the closer to Him; from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy;
I sing because I'm free;
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.
Our freedom is based on our ability to embrace the fact that we are cared for by the capable. We can chill. How relaxed are you? How worried are you? How stressed are you?
