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Jul 18, 2024

Pete James

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We live in anxious times. The rise of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GA.D.) has become acute among the under-eighteen crowd. Colleges report an exponential increase in students showing up at medical clinics and counseling centers suffering from all manner of anxiety disorders.

Jesus devoted a portion of his Sermon on the Mount to anxiety (Mt. 6.25-34). Since he delivered his sermon outdoors, I can imagine him gesturing to birds flying overhead as he tells people, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (Mt. 6.26). Birds don’t wait for God to drop food into their nests. They show diligence in building their nests and caring for their young, yet they don’t worry. While they work hard for their food, they are carefree in God’s care. Next Jesus directed his listeners to a second nature lesson, “See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin, yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these” (Mt. 6.29). King Solomon may have looked regal in his royal attire, but only God can make a flower. Flowers don’t worry about the future; they simply grow.

Worry in Greek has two essential meanings. The first meaning is to care and be concerned. God does not decry careful provision for the future. The second use of this word means to become full of care and overly concerned. This is the word Jesus uses in his sermon. There is a world of difference between careful provision for the future and undue worry. In the words of Chares Spurgeon, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows but only empties today of its strength.” I came across a sermon I preached a few years ago. While most printed copies of my sermons do not include a closing prayer, this one did. We are safe with Jesus. Nothing can harm us. Even the worst that could possibly happen, death itself, cannot separate us from God’s love. Let birds and flowers become our teachers.

I am safe in your presence, Lord.
I expel the panic and rest in your presence.
I reject the chaos and receive your peace.
The Lord is my shepherd.
I shall not want.
Slow me down, Lord.
Settle my anxious mind.
Ease the pounding of my heart.
Steady my hurried pace.
Speak into my frenzied, disordered life.
I entrust myself to your care, Jesus.
I receive your grace.
I resolve to trust you again.
Into your hands, I commit my spirit.
Amen.

Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.