Mothers’ Union Devotion Wednesday 9th June 2021

And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! Luke 12. 25-28

Even those of us who are not usually prone to worrying have found this last year or so a time of concern. As each new twist and turn in the spread and contraction of the virus hits the headlines, we have found different things on our minds which cause us to worry. To worry about our family and friends, our own health, our finances and just how we were going to cope with the seemingly never-ending loneliness and boredom. But as Jesus said worrying about things will not change the outcome.

Of course, it does not matter how many times people tell us not to worry. It is an integral part of our human nature. The things we worry about are as varied as our individual characters and personalities. I for example tend not to worry about the big things in life; health, wealth or fame but can spend hours tying my brain in knots over really small relatively insignificant things.

Horrific as the pandemic has been, one of the positive things that has emerged is that we have been forced to let go of some of the things that were sources of worry for us.

So many things that we took for granted were not able to take place. So many things, that we expected to happen, or we felt were expected of us, just did not, through no fault of our own. This has given us the opportunity to stop and take stock of all the busyness and hassle in our lives. Given us the space to question whether we really need to be rushing around, worrying about conforming to the expectations of society. Instead, we have the chance to heed Jesus’ words of reassurance – so much of what we have become accustomed to striving for is unnecessary. God will provide for us if we have faith. Faith that God will provide what we need rather than what we think we want. Faith to allow ourselves not to worry but to be happy in whatever particular situation we find ourselves in.

With all my love and prayers

Revd Sandra