This week's Friday's Weekly Wrap Up comes inspired by TJ Pompeo's song "Tomorrow", as well as the general theme of worry that is so common among twenty-somethings like me. I had heard about TJ Pompeo some time ago during my time spent in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and through my volunteering with the James Madison Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Many of our students knew him during their time at James Madison. I, however, was never able to see TJ perform, but his music is quality, and most importantly, encouraging to those who are in Christ, or those who are continuing to explore Christ and His blessings.
Some personal background: As I readied to graduate from Michigan State University I was worried whether I would find an urban planning position (or any job at that point!) during the recession of 2008. (I did not.) I then became worried about finding a basketball coaching position or being accepted to graduate school. Once I got to Marshall University and worked as a graduate assistant basketball coach I was again worried about finding a biblical church, accompanied by a group of solid friends, as well as a full time job. Once I got to the College of William and Mary as part of their women's basketball staff, I was worried about finding a more comfortable job with a bit more earning potential. Before I got a job in urban planning I was worried what I would do with all of my education. Once I got a job in Rockingham County, Virginia I became worried about finding better paying job in a larger city. Before I got married I was worried about whether I'd find a wife. Now that I'm married, I am tempted to worry about providing for my wife and future family.Getting to Worry's Root
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."God knows what we need, and will supply it in His time. It's a simple truth, but difficult to consistently take heart in. Worrying not only adds needless anxiety to our lives, it's a failure to grasp the gospel. Author, pastor and Gospel Coalition member Trevin Wax says that worry "shows up whenever my view of God is diminished and my view of myself gets too big. I worry because my vision of God is skewed. I rest when my vision is fixed."
"The uneasiness of worry surfaces in our hearts when we lose sight of the gospel of God’s grace to the undeserving. Failure to grasp the gospel is what causes us to take our eyes off the kingdom and forget who we are in Christ." -Trevin Wax
We cannot predict what will happen in our lives. But, that does not mean that we are unprepared to how to deal with life's unforeseen happenings. Much like athletic coaches, who cannot predict anything that happens in a game once a contest starts, we should not be left without a "game plan", so to speak. Knowing where to turn when worried is key, and a necessary action in fleeting fear. Justin Taylor's "A Gameplan for When You Worry" is a great resource which takes its foundation from David Powlison's "What Good Is 'Don't Worry' in Times Like These?"
Let us look to God's word revealed to us through Christ, and surround ourselves with brothers and sisters who can continue to remind us of the love and sovereignty found in Christ.
