God is Enough!
a sermon based on Matthew 6:26-33
by The Iowa Starr (DPSer)
This sermon is an attempt to use submissions from this web site.... I added a personal
example here and there, but this is the meat of what is being prepared....
I finally got to walk the nature trail over at the Amanas a few weeks ago.
Andrea, Ben and Zach took me out there. Its a nice walk and it only takes a few
steps out of the parking lot before you feel like youre really out there in the
woods. Thats nice too. You all know I like to hike, and hiking any time of year is
good. But in the fall its very nice. I like the sound of leaves crunching under
foot. I like the autumn colors, and when you take a deep breath it smells so nice - like
Heavens spice rack, one of my friends says.
Its beautiful here, but I suppose its beautiful in Wisconsin, and Ohio and
California too. Its probably even beautiful in Greenland, Quebec, and Finland this
time of year.
Weve been lucky here - the harvest has gone well, and many of our farmers have
had a good crop to bring in from the fields. That isnt necessarily so everywhere,
even in northwest Iowa there just wasnt enough rain.
Our church and community has been blessed too. Its fun to be a part of a church
were people are doing stuff and where there are kids in Sunday School, and where we have a
few things going for us. A lot of people here have had a great year for one reason or
another, maybe because they have a new house to live in, or a new job, or theres a
new baby. But even when we can count our blessings, in the back of our mind, we remember
there are some people who only have the hope of a better year next year to sustain them
through the winter.
But no matter what, no matter how the year has gone, no matter what challenges or
victories you have faced. The call to thanksgiving goes out to everyone. And, I think
its more than a call to rejoice in the good stuff, Its a call to consider the
lilies and to remember just how much we are under the watchful eye and tender loving care
of God.
Theres a lot of power in the concept of being thankful. A friend of mine told me
about a prison chaplain telling him about a prisoner who found God by learning to be
thankful. He had told the chaplan that he just couldnt pray. So the Chaplain said,
dont make it so hard. Just, every day, say Thank you God,
for......... Over time, the chaplain encouraged him to be thankful for a few more
things each day, and to try and not repeat the things he was thankful for - (like his
Mother) - unless he had a new reason to be thankful for it that day, (perhaps his mother
had came for a visit).
But, as the weeks progressed, and the prisoner kept doing this, he realized that this
attitude of thankfulness had turned into a bit of a conversation. .... He was learning to
pray.... and a relationship with God was emerging.
So, being thankful, even when there isnt a whole lot on the surface to be
thankful about is a very powerful tool. And if you have trouble with the practice of
prayer. Maybe this is a place where you can start too.
But, our scripture takes things a step further, I think. Because it is not just that we
will be happier if we take on an attitude of thankfulness and think happy thoughts.
Do you remember the story of the Widows Mite? That little lady was so thankful
for the presence of God in her life that she gave all she had, not because she had
received so many blessings. Certainly not the kind of blessings we might be mindful of
today, like family and money enough to pay the bills, or a good place to live. All that
had been taken away from her. But, she was thankful still, for Gods faithful
presence. It was always there with her, even when the going was tough. What would you give
for a friend who was faithful like that - who would stand by you even when times were
tough?
And thats the whole message here - that there is no need for you to worry or to
be anxious about your life, because the out-come is not up for grabs. God is enough. You
are far more important to him than the Sparrows, and even they dont fall to the
ground without Gods knowledge. You dont have to qualify for Gods love,
Gods blessings dont go just to the rich or the happy or the winners. Blessed
are the poor, the peacemakers, the meek and those who seek justice in this land. You are
the children of God and you will be blessed.
Thats because we know God can be counted upon. Hes the same one who is lord
of the flowers, the sparrows and all of us. God is enough!
As I said, it isnt that we will be happier if we think positive thoughts. It just
has to ease our mind to embrace the facts - that God is in charge, God is good, God is all
powerful. What more is necessary, except to give our lives back to his love and service?