"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?... And your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:26, 32b, 33

We all seem to worry at some times in our lives, except a sibling of mine. Nothing seems to bother him. But I think he worries in his own quiet way.

Today, in our country, there are many people who are worrying. There are people worrying about their families who have weathered Hurricane Joaquin, some of whom have lost everything. There are those who have come through the hurricane who are worrying about the future. They are worrying about rebuilding and their future plans.

There are people today worrying about the Baha Mar project and whether it will be resolved soon. Will the project come to completion? Will people's jobs be safe? Will the people be able to pay their bills?

Today there are many worrying about their health, and that of family members. Yes, there are many people who are worrying today. We worry because it is a natural thing to do.

The word worry comes from the Greek word "merismos", which means dividing asunder or to separate. Unfortunately, the things of this world cause us to divide and pull our minds into pieces. I know that it is natural to worry, but why do we worry when we have God on our side? So often we let our worries drive us away from the only one who can protect and help us, God.

In the above text, Jesus reminds us to place our hopes and trust in God. We worry about things that are important to us, however, our best plans, no matter how well made, are meaningless when God is left out.

He reminds us that the creatures of the earth fulfill their nature and purpose. They do not worry and hoard, yet God takes care of them. God feeds and clothes them. Therefore, if God does such wonderful things for the birds and the animals, imagine what he will do for us humans, his prized creation.

Jesus tells us to think about the God who clothes the flowers, the God who takes care of the animals of the field. If we spend more time thinking about kingdom building, we have less time to worry. Why? Because we know that God is on our side and he will deliver us from any perils that may come our way.

Our priority in life is to put God first. When we put God first then many of the problems that we encounter will not be problems. Jesus is our burden carrier. He carried all of our problems with him to the cross. When God takes priority in our lives, all our needs will be supplied. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."

This is evident in our country today. In the midst of all the worrying, the spirit of God has worked wonders in the hearts of the Bahamian people. We see, in the wake of Hurricane Joaquin, many Bahamians working tirelessly and selflessly to bring comfort and relief to our desperate brothers and sisters who have been affected by the hurricane.

This hurricane has united us in The Bahamas as one people under God. In our generosity, we display our Christian heritage. We don't have time to worry because God is at work in us.

Thanks Bahamas and our international friends who have blessed us with their time and gifts. Through our generosity and time, we are displaying the love of God. Amen.

By the way, today is my birthday.

o Reverend Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at The Lutheran Church of Nassau, can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas or telephone 323-4107; E-mail: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com.

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