Seed Thoughts

By Lynette Hagin

This has certainly been a year of turmoil for many. Some have lost jobs. Others have experienced family problems, health issues, or the loss of family members. During difficult times we all ask, “How are we going to survive in this challenging situation?” We begin to look at what we can do to recover.

With things falling apart around us, we can find ourselves sinking into despair and depression. It can seem that the harder we try to figure things out for ourselves, the worse things get.

Even as a child I was always a very independent person. I wanted to figure everything out for myself. I did not want to have to depend upon anyone else for my resources. It is very easy for those natural traits to be transferred into the spiritual realm.

Although my relationship with my Heavenly Father has always been one of my most precious possessions, I used to pray, “Lord, show me what to do and I’ll take care of this for You.” Suddenly one day, the Lord ministered to me a most valuable lesson that changed my life.

He said, “Lynette, that’s your problem. You’re always trying to take care of things yourself. You want to be Ms. Fix-It. Don’t you realize that is My job—to fix it for you?” Then He brought me to Luke 12:22–31, and it revolutionized my life:
“Turning to his disciples, Jesus said, ‘That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

“‘Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“‘And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need’ ” (NLT).

The 24th verse just stood out in bold to me:
“Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! ”
I began to cling to the fact that we are far more valuable than the birds, flowers, and grass that He created. And if He provides for them, how much more will He provide for us if we will place our trust in His Word? Look at it this way: we are God’s favorite creation.

We place our trust in natural man every day. If your employer tells you that he is going to give you a raise, you trust his word. In fact, you may go out and purchase an item based on the promise that you are receiving a raise. You may not have physically received the additional income, but you accept the word of your employer.

When our grandchildren were younger, they loved to go to the edge of our church stage after service and jump and let their Poppy catch them. We were always close to the stage talking to our church members. Our grandchildren would holler “Poppy!” and my husband would turn around and catch them. They got such a thrill out of that. Never once did they doubt that their Poppy would catch them. Even though he might be conversing with someone, they were confident that he would interrupt that conversation and keep them from falling. They trusted him to save them from a possibly dangerous situation.

Our Heavenly Father is always there to save us from any fall. Whatever your situation, the Lord is saying, “put your trust in Me and I will see you through.” Psalm 18:2 (NLT) says, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” Place your trust in the Lord and He will bring you out of every situation.