Preoccupied with what?

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. (Matthew 6:33)

Relax, stop being so preoccupied with stuff - that is pretty solid wisdom, Jesus! Relax, give him control, stop trying to always work things out yourself - that is more than just good 'advice' - it is wisdom for peaceful living! When we get so preoccupied with all the 'doing' and 'getting' life demands of us, we have little to know time for Jesus in our days. The most important part of our day is the time we spend with him, in his Word, just meditating on him. Yet so many of us take go about life without even noticing we haven't taken that time with him. I have heard people say they had to 'carve out time' in their busy days for Jesus. He shouldn't be a 'carve out' - he should be an 'all day' thing!

Look again at what Jesus said: "People who DON'T KNOW GOD and the way he works fuss over these things." If we find ourselves worrying over this and that, prompted 'into' worrying by all we see and hear, are we really in a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus? Perhaps what we need most is a little renewal of our relationship status! Steep your life in God-reality. Stop getting all worked up about the 'reality' that life seems to be showing to us because it isn't the reality God brings when we step into his presence and understand his provision, protection, and purpose in our lives. God-initiative isn't because of hindsight - it is foresight-based. He is all-knowing, always present, and nothing is ever out of his control.

All our everyday human concerns will be met. We will not always know from where they will be met, but we can trust that when he says he will meet EVERY ONE of them, it will happen. These aren't just 'pie-in-the-sky' words Jesus spoke one day to those gathered around for a 'good sermon'. They are LIFE altering words of hope, trust, and faith. Get to know how he works, who he is, what he wants for your day - then step into it with the vigor your day demands. He goes right there with you because you didn't just 'carve out' a portion of that day for him - you invited him to lead you each step of the way. Just sayin!