"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matt 6:27 NIV)
When I was in grade 5, I enrolled in "Worry 101". My teacher announced bluntly
at the beginning of June that several of us would not make it out of grade 5
that year. This caused my friends and I to spend the next four weeks in a state
of profuse perspiration. As the days progressed, we began being visited by
nightmares of our grade 5 teacher chasing us about, mocking us for our failures.
He would eventually catch up, and once caught, we were swallowed whole (I had no
idea my teacher had such a huge mouth!). The teacher would then belch to
complete the operation. During those four weeks, we couldn't enjoy anything.
Food tasted bland and movies were dull. In fact, all of our favorite past-times
seemed a total waste of time.
On the last day of school, the teacher wore a grin on his face as he handed out
our report cards. Only then did we discover that we had wasted 4 weeks worrying
over nothing. Every one in the class had been promoted to grade 6.
I stayed in "Worry 101" until grade 7, when I graduated to "Worry 102". There
was a gorgeous brunette in my class. I can't remember her name at the moment (oh
what worrying can do to you!), but I fell "in love" with her the first moment I
laid eyes on her. I was the happiest guy in class. Only one problem, though. I
was far too shy to even speak to her! I just admired her from a distance, and my
days were filled with a "distant" bliss!
Then one day, to my horror, I discovered she had been unfaithful! The previous
weekend she had been playing a game with friends, and as part of the game, she
had kissed a guy on the cheek! Can you believe that? She was disloyal even
before we even could get to know each other! I gave up on her and concentrated
my attention on better venues: Music! At least music is faithful!
Every year after that I took the next level of "Worry", and as you can imagine,
as I approach graduation with my PhD in Worry, I've become quite an expert at
it. Recently I was supposed to attend a meeting in a part of Toronto where
normal people would never want to go, even in their wildest nightmares. Toronto
traffic being habitually bad, I decided to leave my car close to home and rely
on public transportation. This meant taking the "Go Train" to Toronto, then
switching to a subway, and finally to a city bus. Having only taken the Go Train
once, and having never had any experience whatsoever with Toronto's public
transit system, I began to worry. In fact, I got myself so worked up, that
before I left on the trip, I believe I finally graduated with my PhD!
When I arrived at the Go Train Station, all parking spots had already been
taken. What now? But just as I was about to disappear forever into the land of
despair, a nice woman came out of the station. She must have noticed my worried
look, for she suggested I go to the next Go Station, a few kilometers down the
road. She even gave me directions!
From that moment on, everything went like clockwork. There were parking spaces
at the next Go Station. I had just finished using the washroom when I noticed
everyone heading for the train level. I quickly followed them, and the train
arrived seconds later. As soon as I arrived at Union Station in Toronto, I had
no trouble locating the subway station. I had barely gone down the stairs when
the underground train arrived. One of my fellow travelers assured me that it was
heading in the right direction, and I settle down to be whizzed underground,
past all of that Toronto traffic, to my destination. As I climbed out of the
subway station, the city bus was waiting for me. The driver even told me where I
needed to get off the bus!
After my meeting, the same thing happened. I had barely crossed the street when
the city bus arrived. At the subway station, I had barely gone down the steps
when the underground train arrived, and once at Union Station, I had just enough
time to take a much-needed washroom break before boarding my train for home. Why
had I worried so much? God had taken care of me during the whole trip!
This experience made me think, and as I reviewed all of my former experiences
with worry, I realized that each and every time, worrying had been a total waste
of time. Why did I worry about my grade 5 teacher's comments, when throughout
the entire school year, I had made decent grades in every subject? Why did I
worry in grade 7 over a stranger I was too shy to talk to? Why… I better stop
here, otherwise you may start to become anxious about my worries!
Where are you in your "Worry Studies", my friend? Are you nearing graduation
with your PhD as I was? Believe me, it is a total waste of time. Your life will
be much better off without those worrisome courses. Why not join me in taking
"Fixing Your Eyes on Jesus 101" instead? I have heard that all worries evaporate
when taking that course! Classes start in five minutes, and are held wherever
you are. Just meditate on Jesus, and give Him your worries. He has promised to
give you rest: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest." (Matt 11:28 NIV)
Remember to follow the advice of Heb 12:2-3 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the
author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the
cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not
grow weary and lose heart." NIV
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.