For the past few years I have been reading the Bible, verse by verse, chapter by chapter; a chapter from the Old Testament along with a chapter from the New Testament each day. I seem to get through the New Testament two times, for each time through the Old Testament. It’s amazing what nuggets I find, even in the Old Testament, that I haven’t seen previously. I also vary my reading by using different versions each time. This time through the New Testament I have decided to use The Message, which is the New Testament in contemporary language, compiled by Eugene H. Peterson. Right away, in Matthew 6, I was thrilled by the plainness, everyday language of Jesus talking about our God-Worship. I have decided that for this week I will just copy verses 25 through 34 as it is written in this very down-to-earth language.
"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
Wow! Could anyone say it better? That’s Jesus talking in our everyday, simple language. Don’t Worry, be happy! God is in Control!!!
1 comment:
Wow! That's an awesome translation, I need to get one of those for myself. Your posting made me remember something I read about Psalm 23 and the line that says The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. What it is talking is about isn't that we'll all be millionaires, but that our wants will be changed by His changing our hearts. And we won't "want" because, through Him, we'll have contentment with what He has given us. . . . Mmmm, I do "want" one of the Message translation Bibles! :-)
Post a Comment