By BOB THOMPSON —

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” – Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

The nations are targeting each other.

The political parties are grandstanding.

The “nones” and “dones” are leaving the churches.

God is not worried. Really.

We tend to project our anxiety onto the Creator. We imagine God’s hands wringing with concern over all our problems, pondering the next move.

Nope. God’s at peace. And God wants the same for us.

“Be still and know that I am God,” Psalm 46:10 says. “Come to me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest,” Jesus said in Matthew 11:28. In Revelation 1:17, the Living One adds, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last.”

We know this in our head, but our hearts are hard to convince. We think we need to do something—correct the other party, solve the social problem, answer the critic’s objections, word the perfect prayer.

We do need to do that—some of it, maybe all of it. God has given us staggering responsibility and opportunity to change the world by sharing the good news and working for a more just and peaceful world.

But let’s never forget that we are not in charge. The Holy Spirit convicts and transforms. Jesus forgives and redeems. God directs and controls. When any of us bears God’s responsibilities on our shoulders, we risk doing more harm than good and we lose both peace and joy.

When psychiatrist Curt Thompson visited our town some years back, his most memorable quote for me was, “God is not worried about your children.” What? God doesn’t care? That’s not what he said. God cares, but God’s not worried—not about them or anything or anyone else. God doesn’t worry.

Prayer

God who made us, redeemed us, and comforts us, today as I busy myself with all that I believe you have called me to do, I also choose to find my rest in who you are. Amen.

Bob Thompson is Pastor of Corinth Reformed Church (UCC) in Hickory, North Carolina, and President of Faithful and Welcoming Churches of the UCC. His blog is corinthpastorbob.com.