Luke 12:24-29, Matthew 10:29-30, Isaiah 40:8, 2 Timothy 1:7, Deuteronomy 31:8

Steven Harris considers what is most important in life

Steven Harris

Have you ever had those times in your life when you fear about the future, or what could happen to somebody, or what is next in your life?

There are some helpful things right outside our doors that can help us deal with our fear; things that point us towards trust in God and receiving his loving kindness.

Outside there are plants growing, animals flourishing and unseen things thriving underground. Many of those things develop and live without any outside help.

Today, why not take some time to consider God's design and creation in action.

If we've got a God that is powerful and intelligent in how he has created life and made so much of it to be self sustaining; if we have a God that loves us, then what is there to fear?

'Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you-you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.' Luke 12:24-29

'Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.' Matthew 10:29-30

Perhaps you would still fear the decay and death that is also a part of life. If you do, then consider what it says in Isaiah 40:8, 'The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever'.

His words are the secure foundation we seek to build our lives upon.

Looking at flowers fading reminds me of something my brother is doing. My brother has taken on a mini farming project. He is using our backyard for a permaculture and self reliance project.

My brother is absolutely against organised religion, so he's doing this project to provide food for his family and our family in case of a disaster.

My brother has been having medical issues, so the farming is one way he is trying to be drawn nearer to God. He wants to grow things the way God designed them to grow with self sustaining ecosystems. If you are interested, you can read his blog.

I was reminded of his work when discussing flowers fading, because he planted a whole bunch of stuff last spring, but only a few things survived after the winter.

I think we should have the same attitude in life as he had when things failed - he got right up out there again and started farming and fertilising and preparing our backyard this spring 2014.

In life there are spiritual and natural seasons and there are correlations between the two. There is spring and summer when things begin to grow and flourish. Then you've got fall and winter that come along when it seems like things start to decay and die. But then like clockwork the things that seemed dead start to grow and produce life again.