seek: a paraphrase

A word flood fell over me last week as I was reflecting on Matthew 6.25-34 and this passage came alive with specifics. Maybe these words were just meant for me -- not everyone is distracted by the same things. Still, sometimes hearing another persons specifics helps us identify our own -- and if it doesn't do that, then just go and read the passage yourself and let God do the talking instead of me.

Don't Worry, Seek God's Kingdom
Matthew 6.25-34
A Paraphrase...perhaps especially for moms, perhaps just me

You can't go in two directions at once; you can't whole-heartedly pursue two opposing things. So don't.

You can't trust Me to take care of your needs and, at the same time, worry.

You can't give Me the needs of your heart and the needs of your body...and hold onto them at the same time.

You can't worship both Me and the material world.

You can't navel-gaze while you seek My face.

You can't live for what lasts if all your thoughts revolve around what doesn't.

What I mean is this:

You don't need to worry about your future...about the possible instability of your -- or your husband's -- job or business ventures...about health problems you or your family might encounter...about how you will afford clothes or food or any of the other material things you feel you need. I want you to come to Me first. I want to be the primary source for your needs. I am more than able to provide.

Stop trying to create your own perfection. Don't worry about how you look to Me. I've given you My righteousness and I want you to accept that for yourself and just rest in that. Don't worry about how you look to others. You know how tiring -- and futile -- it is, trying impress others with your faith or your abilities or how much you know.

Don't obsess over being the perfect mom. You aren't, and you're not going to be. Don't be distracted over what you think other people will say about how you parent, keep your eyes on Me and I will give you what you need to care for your kids. And don't forget that your children and their future are not entirely in your hands. Release them to Me; I can be trusted to care for them.

Don't obsess over being the perfect wife. Or sister. Or daughter. Or friend. Or Facebooker. I want you to love these people, but don't the pressures or concerns or disappointments you feel from these relationships take over your life.

Don't spend your days researching "the best stuff to get". I know you want to make wise purchases -- on your next camera and household cleaners and clothes -- just don't let the pursuit of those things take away from what really matters. Surrender these concerns to Me, let Me be the one to provide you with money and wisdom.

Don't worship your appearance. Aren't there better ways to spend your time than trying to look good?

I want you to enjoy comfort and beauty, but don't give these things more importance than they deserve.

Don't worry about what you eat. Give it attention, think about it...but is spending all your time and money on eating -- be it organic or local or easy or cheap or gourmet -- what you want your life to be about?! It's just food.

Don't let good health be your highest goal. I designed your body to work well, but don't let your pursuit of "feeling good" be the ultimate goal. I know sometimes your health and the decisions you have to make about it can seem like such a big deal at the time. I know you have to take care of these things, but you don't have to freak out over them. Leave the freaking out to the people of the world.

This applies to your kids' health too. You can have the healthiest kids on the planet, but if that's all you have, what good is that? You have legitimate concerns and needs, but don't be so preoccupied with health and comfort that you neglect more important things.

Don't worry about whether you're good enough. Don't spend all your time thinking about whether or not you matter, or looking for approval, or wondering if you're going to make a difference in this world. (Sure fire way to prevent significance is to sit around all day and wish for it, right?) If looking for Me is your first concern, then these things will fall into place.

Life gives you a lot to worry about -- I'm not asking you pretend like it doesn't, to think happy thoughts until reality fades into the distance. I'm just asking you to seek Me. I want you to bring these to Me instead of holding onto them yourself.

You know how you watch your kids play and wish life could be that simple again? They don't worry about how their next meal will come to them. They don't let possible future disaster affect how they live today. They aren't preoccupied with their own significance. They don't worry about what anyone thinks of them. I mean, they don't even worry that the tree branch they're climbing might break!

They just take one day -- one moment! -- at a time. They believe you, their parent, are able to protect them from anything bad that might come and so they don't worry about anything. They just trust.

Be like that. Unlike you, I CAN provide for all your needs. I AM able to protect you from what you fear. So come to Me.

I want to be your food; I want to be your source of Life, all of it: physical, emotional, spiritual. And I want to be your clothes; I want My righteousness to cover you. That way you can do your best to live as you ought without don't worrying about how you look -- to Me, or to anyone else.

Just doing what needs to be done each day takes a lot of your time and energy...I'm just saying, don't let it take your heart. The people of this world live for life, but I want you to live for something greater, something that will last.