The daffodils are growing in front of our house. In a month they will be bright yellow. Except for the ones that are white. Except for the ones that are pastel yellow. And there will be more than last year. And we didn’t plant the extra ones.
And the finches will be back soon. They will be joining the robins. They will be followed by the hummingbirds. We will feed them. But we can take no credit for them.
When people think of birds and flowers and Jesus, the ornery among us think about how they die, how some of them starve in the winter, how the flowers are often not vivid. We listen to Jesus talking about taking care of flowers and birds, about food and clothing, and we think that he falls short.
But the point that Jesus was making seems to me not about botany or ornithology. He was talking about attention.
What do you invest your attention in?
Jesus suggests some things to not invest it in. Don’t invest it in worry. Don’t invest it in wondering whether God (He does know). Don’t invest it in what you have already asked God for (This teaching comes right after having asked God for our daily bread. Having asked for that, Jesus says, don’t worry about how the Father will do it).
What do we pay attention to? What God is doing.
Jesus says to first seek the Kingdom and the way of living that is found there. Be part of what will last forever, and being dressed in the righteous clothes. And then, Jesus says, the rest will follow. The food and drink and clothing that are needed.
This weekend, ask God what part of his Kingdom he wants you to seek right now.
300 words a day 