"Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear." Luke 12:22

The housefly raced madly back and forth across the screen door searching frantically for a way out. But the fly was so shortsighted it did not notice the door was open and it could easily have flown to freedom.

Sometimes we Christians act like frantic houseflies. We buzz about, busily looking for a way out, for solutions to problems. We flit about getting as much done as possible. Then, as if today's busyness were not enough, we may panic thinking about tomorrow: What happens when I grow older and cannot work? What if I get sick?

We may be too worried to be aware that the Lord has opened the door to freedom for us. "Do not worry about your life." When we remind ourselves that the Lord who loves us is also in control of all our tomorrows, we are free to live today effectively.

This does not mean that we can sit around twiddling our thumbs waiting for the Lord to provide for us. The Lord expects us to work if we want to eat. But He wants us to be joyful in our work and not let worry drain our energies. Let us work as if everything depends upon us, and let us pray as if everything depends upon God!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, when we are tempted to worry, help us to remember Your promise to provide for our need. Amen.

(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996 (out of print), Concordia Publishing House. For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)

Today's Bible Readings: Hosea 5-8    Romans 15:1-13

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