I know that I have a lot of bad habits. Now, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, there’s only one drug that I can’t seem to kick the habit of (calm down, it’s a 24-hour allergy med), and I really do work to rein in my thoughts. On the surface, I’m doing pretty well. But I also know that I have a lot of areas that need help. One area in particular hit me this week and it’s one that I can’t remember not struggling with.
From the sermons, the podcasts, and the devotionals that I dig into, I kept being reminded of one of my favorite promises from God. But I’ve realized that there’s so much more than what I originally understood. And that’s when I realized how much growth needs to still take place in me (it’s a lot!). Today I’m focusing on the shared passage highlights of Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-32, but I’m going to zero in on Matthew 6:28-30 for a bit.
“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
If you read the full passages, you’ll notice what has always been my favorite part: how God provides for the birds of the air. I love birds (especially chickens!), so this passage has stood out to me over the years. I’m always having to go back to it to remind myself that God is over all and provides all. It’s supposed to be a comfort that we can trust His provision.
But there’s always been something that didn’t sit right in my understanding of these verses (both in Matthew and Luke). As I was thinking about some of the messages I’ve been listening to, I realized that even in my best moments of not worrying, I’m still worrying! One pastor I recently tuned into stated that we struggle with either wondering, worrying, or whining… and can’t seem to do well in the waiting. Oof! That’s me!
And then I heard God tell me that there’s grace for that, too… and He showed me something.
That last statement in the above scripture passage – you of little faith? – always used to rub me wrong. Every time I would catch myself wondering, worrying, or whining, I would beat myself up on how little my faith was. I would think, I’ll walk in more of God’s provision when my faith is stronger… It was so condemning! But is that what Jesus is telling us? I absolutely believe that Jesus’ use of imagery is purposeful – He uses birds and plants (both living, but both very different in how they live).
Jesus also brings his audience’s attention to Solomon. Everyone there would have known who He was talking about. Solomon was the wisest and wealthiest man, and king, of all time (I’m pretty sure He still holds that title). He probably had the best clothing imaginable. Nothing like my Walmart clearance finds or thrift store scores. He was dressed in the finest materials and the styles that screamed wealth.
But he had to put his clothes on, didn’t he? It’s not a question of which foot did he put in the pant hole first. Jesus used Solomon’s adornment to show that it was all outward and not inward. The flowers, on the other hand, their clothing was vastly more beautiful because it came from within. If they were a healthy plant, it would be plain to see. The birds had feathers for flight and warmth, and they would always have the food they needed. They were adorned in beauty and provision because they were simply alive.
Comparing a bird, a flower or even a simple blade of grass to the opulence of King Solomon doesn’t typically compute right away. But they were alive, so God provided for them. And we’ve been made alive with Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-5)!
As I was mulling over what I’ve been listening to this week, I kept coming back to a pretty catchy saying (and I hope it becomes catchy for you, too). No matter the room I walk into, it’s always three plus me. I don’t know about you, but knowing that I have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit living within me no matter where I go is extremely comforting, more than a bit humbling, but abundantly life-giving!
Why would someone who has the Three Plus Me no matter where they go, walk around beating themselves up for not having much faith? Why would they even consider that being in lack is a normal way of life? And why would they ever doubt that God wouldn’t faithfully provide? As I’ve been chewing on this, I couldn’t help but feel a peace when a different understanding hit: birds and plants have no faith! But I know Who has the greatest faith of all time.
And He lives in me! It’s not about my faithfulness to Him, but rather His faithfulness to us.
If a plant can be more beautifully clothed than the richest dressed man of all time because they are simply alive, imagine what can be evident in my life at the mere level of my little faith because of the faithfulness of the One living in me!
I’m not sure about you, but this is good news! I’ve always read this passage with the slant of my small level of faith being a negative, but Jesus is turning that understanding upside down! Even with having just a little faith, how much more will God take care of us? What I’m learning is that it’s not about how big or small our faith is, it’s about how big or small we see our God to be.
And how much of His life we choose to soak in and breathe in.
Anything we struggle with, whether it’s how much faith we think we have or don’t have, or maybe another area that we need to see some improvements in (again, I have many), we’ll only see those positive changes by getting to know our Savior. We’ll only see improvements when we pull them out of the dark and let Him shine His light on them. We’ll only see changes in how we receive His provision when we accept what He’s given.
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:37-38 NIV
You will have the light that leads to life… Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water will flow from them… Man, that’s so, so good! I bet every blade of grass and every flower in every field thrives better when it gets the light and water it needs. And then what’s inside of them will be evident by what we see on the outside.
How much more will God supply us with health and provision in comparison to mere flowers and blades of grass? Those three words I just wrote, How Much More, is the title of a favorite post of mine. It expands on God’s abundant provision for us. If you want some encouragement on the how much more that God has for you, I hope that you’ll click over to read.
I hope that after reading this, you’ll start to see God’s grace in even more abundance than before. And I especially hope that your confidence will skyrocket with the knowledge that you have the Big Three no matter where you go.
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” Luke 12:31-32 NLT