why does this always happen?

where i'll set out to do merely get some homework done, but instead, i end up crying and asking the Lord for forgiveness because i'm so freaking convicted from some mere counseling book i'm reading for a stupid class.

(i'm starting to think they do this on purpose...)

anyway.

i know this is a lot of words. so, don't read it if you don't think you have time. but, friends, if you have time to mess around on facebook and blogs and tumblrs and whatever else you fill your afternoon with, maybe you might just have time to read this thing which could make you think. perhaps.

...But seek first His kingdom, and these things will be given to you ask well.

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear our, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12

"How incredibly tender! how patient. He calls us his little flock, aware that life holds many dangers. He reminds us that the Creator knows the details of creation. He is close and involved...

And he is not just interested in the big picture of your life. He knows trivia such as the hairs on your head. To have that kind of knowledge, someone must be present with the person and have immense care for him or her. Casual acquaintances are satisfied with knowing the basic outline of your life. Intimate friends want to know all the details.

Then Jesus asks, with tongue in cheek, if anxiety really helps...He is suggesting that the situation is not as dire as we think. He can make light of it because He knows that there is no need to worry. He is the loving shepherd. He will not leave, and He will never sleep.

'You trust me,' He says. 'I will worry about tomorrow.' Then, in a beautiful and persuasive conclusion, he reminds us that He is a generous God who not only gives the kingdom to his children but is pleased to do so.

This raises two questions. First, what is the kingdom? The kingdom is everything God promises His children: love, joy, peace, patience, His presence, forgiveness, adoption into His family, the hope of being free from sin, and being with our Father, the King.

Second, is the kingdom that important to you? Perhaps you already believe that God is pleased to give you the kingdom, but the kingdom doesn't sound that great. Perhaps you have your heart set on something else. You believe that 'my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus' (phil. 4:9), but you aren't so certain that He will supply all your wants.

This is how idolatry grows in our hearts. We want things and we aren't sure God will give them to us, so we put our trust in other gods. This is THE problem of the human heart -- misplaced trust. We value, love, and trust something in creation more than the Creator, and since there is nothing in creation that is intended to bear the weight of our trust, we are bound to live in fear.

All other loves must be subordinate to your love for Christ. This may sound like God is demanding our love, and that is true to a point. But the reason we are to love Him more than all other is that, among the many suitors for our affections, He alone is worthy of such love.

How do you turn back to the One who truly loves you? It is called repentance. Your acknowledge your wrong in pursuing false gods, and you set out to know the beauty of the true God who patiently pursues you."

amen.