From the Deacon's Desk

Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

“Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life span?” (Matthew 6:24-34)

WORRYING: Some Scripture messages are timeless, aren’t they? Today’s readings are just as accurate and timely now as they were back in Jesus’ day.

The question in today’s scripture passage from Matthew is rhetorical: “Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life span?” The obvious answer is “No, there is no added benefit to worrying.” The question is perhaps better asked as, “How much time do we lose each day worrying about things that are unimportant?”

I can’t speak for you, but I know my response would be, “I spend way too much time doing just that.”

What if every time we began worrying about unimportant things, we were somehow able to check ourselves? What if we instead spent that time on something that is important, using what would have been wasted minutes on things like prayer, being joyful, and serving others? If we all committed to doing that, what would our world look like?

For self-centered human beings who hate to relinquish control (like most of us), not worrying is pretty risky. We would feel vulnerable. If we don’t worry about these unimportant things, who will? Hopefully, no one.

Jesus encourages us to put our time-wasting worrying aside. He says, “My grace is sufficient for you…”