(Read Luke 12)
In my Christian journey, I’ve always valued the liturgical seasons, particularly Advent and Lent. Lent is an opportunity to look inward, reflecting on areas where I can grow and make changes to better live out my faith, while Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s coming. During Advent, I try to look at myself from an outside view. From above and side to side. It’s a season where I check my bearings. Am I where I need to be in my relationship with Jesus? Am I who I claim I am to others? Am I who God made me to be?
John the Baptist captured the spirit of Advent best when he said: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Despite what some believe, repentance is not meant to be a 360 turn; otherwise, by repenting, we would be going in the same direction as before. By repenting, God wants us to turn the other way. I’ve heard it compared to a military term used when a soldier does an about-face. Through John, God called people to a radical change of heart and mind. These changes include recognizing our sinful nature and understanding the need for forgiveness, consciously abandoning sinful behaviors and attitudes, and preparing ourselves to receive the coming Messiah.
Central to my Advent worship and preparation are some of these pivotal items: Am I authentic in my faith? Do I fear God with reverence and trust? Do I focus on His kingdom rather than mine? Am I prepared for Christ’s return through faithful living and stewardship and urgently taking decisive steps to respond to Jesus’ message? When I am completely stressed out by being behind in work, not having the perfect gifts, or having everything just so for visiting friends, my answer is, of course I’m not ready yet for Christ. My head can’t get wrapped around anything beyond my iCalendar. When I envelop myself in God’s word through prayer, meditation, and supplication, I find I’m in a much better position for His arrival.
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
Luke 12:25-28
Jesus was teaching this lesson to His disciples. Before we say, “Well, they should have known better — they lived with the Messiah, witnessed His majesty and miracles firsthand, what did they have to be anxious about?” We should know better, too. We have the benefit of the entire Bible’s teaching and the Holy Spirit (the Helper), whom Christ left here for us. Doubt and worry are wired into our composition. Despite hearing, knowing, and for some, seeing Jesus conquer death, His disciples still had their doubts after Resurrection Sunday.
Everything, from the span of life to the beauty of lilies, is under God’s control and care. Worrying doesn’t change anything; it is both unproductive and unnecessary. If God cares for the natural world so meticulously, He will surely care for the heirs of His kingdom. Though we all feel it, anxiety reveals a lack of faith. Satan loves to widen that gap and fill it with doubt, insecurity, suspicion, greed, and other deadly sins. During this time of the year, it’s especially necessary to cultivate our trust in God, replacing fear with His peace—God’s faithfulness in our life and the world around us.
I recall sharing worries with my parents throughout different stages of life—as a child, a teenager, and even as an adult. They belonged to “The Greatest Generation,” so they never sugar-coated the truth to make me feel better. Instead, they offered honest, practical advice. Often, their wisdom boiled down to this: If you can change something, do it; if not, let go of the worry.
I remember a conversation with my Dad when he shared a story about my older sister. She was going through a tough time, and he said, “Your kids’ problems don’t go away as they get older; their problems will always be my problems.” That simple, profound statement gave me a deeper understanding of how God works.
And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
Luke 12:29-31
Talk about the “first-things-first” approach, or as Steven Covey said, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” What truly matters should be the priority, and that’s where our focus should be. In a few weeks, we’re going to be celebrating the birth of God in human form. Now is not the time to let distractions keep us away from everything He has done for us. Seeking God’s kingdom should be the primary thing we do during this season. Everything else falls in line after that.
Tim Keller had written sermons about how money and materialism make us fools and orphans. These things, which are secondary in the big picture of life, are treasured by all of us to one degree or another. Jesus spoke loud enough for the crowd to hear what He said to His disciples about money. He was making a timeless point for all of us. There is a much larger treasure available to us than anything we can stuff in our wallets or view online in our bank accounts. If material things and wealth are what we treasure, we’ll miss out on the Kingdom God created for us. We’ll be missing out on the future paid-for on the cross.
Jesus advised against worrying about necessities like food and drink. He contrasted temporary things with the behavior of the fallen world, which so often prioritizes these things. If we trust in Christ, we are assured that our heavenly Father knows our needs and will provide for us. Instead of focusing on material things, Jesus implores us to urgently “seek His kingdom.” This means prioritizing God’s will and purpose in their lives.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2
Do you want some hopeful and helpful assurance this Advent season? Commit this passage to memory. It doesn’t say life will be strawberries and cream. It doesn’t say that we won’t face adversity because we’re Christians. It’s not condemning and doesn’t tell us what to believe. It doesn’t even say we won’t be punished for doing wrong. Christ’s atoning death on the cross grants us a different kind of freedom.
Believers in Jesus the Messiah experience an incredible transformation. Christians are no longer condemned by the law but free to live a life of righteousness and peace. Through a union with Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, this passage in Romans proclaims eternal freedom from guilt, sin, and death. True believers are secure in God’s grace and invited to walk in the Holy Spirit’s liberating power.
With two-plus weeks until Christmas, what are the most essential things on our wish list? The greatest Christmas gift of eternity came in the wrappings of God’s grace. So, it’s time to seek the Kingdom where it came from. What does God’s grace look like to you? Now is the time to live with God at the center of our lives—prioritizing His will, pursuing righteousness, and trusting in His provision. Seeking His Kingdom is an ongoing journey of faith and commitment, but it’s urgent that it starts now.
“A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’“
Isaiah 40:3–5
Key Applications:
- Look around you! Reminders of God’s provisions are everywhere, in life and nature. Instead of being consumed by temporary concerns, trust in all that God has and will provide.
- For the next two weeks (at least), prioritize seeking God’s kingdom, not the world’s or yours.
- In your prayers, ask God to grow your faith so you can trust Him in areas where worry dominates. Let go of anxiety and rest because God is both able and willing to provide for your needs.