Single-Minded part 5
This might seem like a weird way to end this Rant series, but I want to talk about Luke 12:29-30, "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things." When we talk about faith it seems like it's usually about big things. But here Jesus was talking about what we eat and drink. Talking about us NOT worrying about the basic human necessities. Why? Because God knows we need these things. I think the picture of God as our heavenly Father is such a good picture. Because it speaks of a provider. A protector. Someone who takes care of His children. And that, really, is what faith is about. It's not just the big things. It's being childlike. Not childish--in the sense of throwing a fit when you can't have what you want, or of being selfish and self-centered all the time--but in having full and complete faith and trust in your Father. When you're a child you can't do much for yourself. You depend on your parents... for everything. Before you can even talk you just cry. And that cry is used for everything. Hungry... cold... wet diaper... whatever. Any need you have, you just cry out. And then your parents figure it out. As you grow you gain more independence and responsibility. But as we grow Spiritually we simply learn to depend on God (on love) more and more. Complete submission. Complete trust. Faith is a trust issue. If you trust God, you'll do what He says. Because you'll know (and believe) that He has your best interests at heart. So don't worry. Be happy. Don't be of doubtful mind. Don't be double minded. Don't worry about the things that your heavenly Father already knows you need. He doesn't want you to live a life of worry. He wants you to live a life of abundance. And what makes the abundant life abundant? Love! What did God give us when He gave us His only begotten Son? Love! That's not what we need... that's what we have. That's who we are! So when it comes to living, just remember that to live is to love and to love is to live. They aren't just connected, they are the same thing. Be single-minded by setting your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Be single-minded by setting your mind on love. You can control your thought life. Look at 2 Corinthians 10:5, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." I always say it like this: You don't have to believe everything you think. If you have a thought that doesn't line up with the love of God... let it go. Don't dwell on it. Don't fight it. Just let it go. And focus on those things that are good, and perfect, and acceptable--the will of God. Which, of course, is love. If you eye is single it lights up the whole body. We are the light of the world. God's light of love shines on us, and in us, and through us. What you feed is what will grow. What you focus on is what will dominate your life. What you magnify is what will manifest in your life. If you're always worried about getting things, you won't be able to experience and enjoy the things you already have!