Bobservations Column
by Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Here in the month of May, we are familiar with the flowers that the April showers have brought. The Lilac Festival has been declared a success. Mother's day was a beautiful day. Many are looking forward to next weekend with Memorial Day's recognition as the beginning of summertime. And, with the rains we've had our grass is green, green, green.
But those same rains have had devastating effects throughout the northeast, and in particular, the local of Penn Yan area. It was just a couple year ago that it was the Owego region. The human race is resilient, if nothing else. In the midst of joyful times, tragedies come up. Life brings trials and blessings at the same time.
I usually am befuddled as to how people go through the tough times without God, and faith in Jesus Christ. I am also confused about Who gets the praise when times are joyful for those same people. For myself, I know that God gets the glory in All things.
A former neighbor came to mind this past week, and it occurred to me to pray for her since she lived her life waiting for the other shoe to drop; the next sickness in the family; the next illness she had to endure; the next bad news from the media; the next crisis she had to face. She was a worrier, and with several children, she had plenty of material to worry about. But the worry made her miserable.
The scriptures remind us not to worry about things over which we have no control. If we cannot even add a cubit to our height, why do we think worry will accomplish anything except undermine our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Read the last part again. Worry can undermine our faith, especially when we are taught to be independent and self-sufficient. Being aware of something does not call for us to take on an additional burden of worry.
Placing our cares upon Jesus is what is called for. Through prayer, we can become warriors instead of worriers. It's only a single letter different, but it makes all the difference in the world. You see, it ALL belongs to the Lord God anyway.
To place our trust in Christ, and know for certain that He has all under His control is freeing. It does not mean we can ignore our responsibilities, but it means we are free to live the life He has designed for us.
"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad." Proverbs 12:25 RSV
Jesus is that GOOD WORD!