Seek First

Sometimes it is hard being the instrument. The artist is working away creating magnificent pieces never imagined before. But during all of that hard work, the instrument sometimes finds itself feeling weak, dull, in need of sharpening, or repair, feeling like they can't continue on to help the artist finish what he started. It is then that the creator picks up his tool, wipes it off, and sharpens it to perfection. 

You see, we all have times when we feel dull. When the challenges of life are a lot to carry on our hearts and we sink into discouragement. But God doesn't leave us a hot mess, he picks us up, dusts us off, and then brings us back even sharper and more useful than before.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16 

"Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:3 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

God gets it. Life IS hard, but we don't have to do it on our own.

Do Not Worry

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 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? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34

What a great peace we have in Jesus knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love him!