Don't worry it shut

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Mattew 6:34 NIV

“Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7 NIV

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”  Proverbs 12:25 NIV

     A few weeks ago I posted some thoughts that started with the saying “Whenever God  closes a door He opens a window.”  It’s a common statement, and it is on my mind again tonight.  Many years ago, a friend told me that he makes notes in his bible as he reads.  He said that he started thinking that long after he is gone, if his kids look through his bible, it would be cool for them to see thoughts and impressions over the years. 

     That sounded good to me, so I started doing it.  I am glad I did.  But it is interesting even for me to see.  This morning I saw a note from April 18, 2007, that said “Glad God opened this door.  I wonder why I worry it shut.”  I started my current job in January 1, 2006.  As my boss would tell me, I sucked at it when I started but after a while I was getting better.  I also realized the benefit of having a job working two or three days a week.  I don’t know anyone who has a schedule like this except people who do the same job I do.

     Prior to starting the job, I had been praying for God to open the window for me to switch jobs.  I needed to make a change.  I had a good run at my old job, but I knew it was time for me to go.  When I have a prayer request, I ask God to open a window.  My theory is that if I pray for a window, I will look for the window.  If I am looking, I am anticipation that I will eventually see.

     It makes sense to me.  So why the worry?  I don’t know.  Is it a sin?  I think not always but it can become one if I put worry in between myself and God.  Is it a lack of faith?  I hope not but I realize it may sound like that.  Do I have any evidence of God just forgetting about me?  No.  I do not think that my faith has to be perfect for God to operate.  If He required perfect faith from me that would glorify me being perfect, not Him being Lord. 

     I have come to understand that I will worry.  It is a human trait.  I think the problem for me is not worrying, it is that I do not see what He is doing.  If my worry makes me look back to where I was, I forget to enjoy the new view.  If I am in one breath anticipating another spot and then keep looking back to where I was just as I get to the new, I can find myself in a pattern of frustration.  God has to be a little amused by my circular thoughts. 

Have you ever been told if you just have enough faith, then God will move?  If that is true, what do we do about this verse?  “He replied, ‘if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.”  Luke 17:6 NIV  That sounds like the amount of faith I have is less relevant than placing what faith I have in the right place – Him.

Have you ever found yourself looking back to a place you were trying to pray for a way out of? I think that is normal, perspective gained can change the way we look at things.

Challenge:  I think conflict is caused when I try to attain a level of perfection that is not possible until I get to heaven.  I think God leaves the windows transparent for a reason.  He just isn’t required to tell me why. 

Rick Claiborn