I may be dating myself here but I love this hit from 1988 by the marvelous Bobby McFerrin doing what he does – without any instruments!
Now this secular song doesn’t really speak of what we know about Christian truths, but then again when we remember the many verses of the Bible that speak of the same thing, maybe it does:
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Or Colossians 3:15, or 2 Thessalonians 3:16 or Psalm 55:22, maybe Proverbs 12:25 and 1 Peter 5:6-8, and Proverbs 12:25 and on and on and on. With Psalm 23 as, perhaps the most familiar: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
This week at my parish’s VBS, with a Shipwreck theme the kids are learning Jesus Rescues!; which is shouted at each turn and every gathering. No matter what the situation or concern, Jesus is there to lift us up and carry the burden with us. Worries are those things, those anxieties over which we have no control and we refuse to trust that God’s plan is the best.
With this inspiration, I’ve been going over my prayer list and realizing a lot of what I am “praying” for are actually worries and anxieties. There is a difference praying for my children’s futures, their vocations and possible spouses and letting that same unknown future keep me up at night as if God does not have their best interest in mind. Silly me!
So I made two lists this morning, breaking my prayer intentions into those I easily hand over to God such as pregnant friends and family members or world issues and a second list of those things I am anxious about – everything having to do with my own children and money! From now on, I am keeping the worries under this Scripture verse:
Jeremiah 29:11:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I am going to strive to not worry so much, pray a little more and remember this song from VBS:
