We have recently been engaged in the process of selling a house. As part of the conveyancing work that the solicitors were carrying out on behalf of the purchaser, they raised a question about planning permission. The outcome was that the purchaser’s mortgage lender required an indemnity (insurance) from us in case anything were to go wrong in the future. Our purchaser was not worried about it, we were confident there wouldn’t be a problem, but the solicitors were insistent. They were trying to prevent anything happening in the future which would be a problem for our purchaser’s financiers.
Whilst the motive was possibly good, I felt that there was a lot of fear involved on the part of the mortgage people and the solicitors. It just highlighted to me how much fear there is around in our world today. Financial institutions are fearful of anything ‘risky’, legal people are fearful of being found to have made a mistake, and the business world is afraid that things might get worse and they will lose everything. Even in everyday life there is apprehension rather than optimism about the future.
What a contrast with Jesus’ words to us: ‘Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes’ (Matthew 6:34, The Message.
There are always unknowns in life, but when we trust God we do not need to be anxious about them. Facing each day as it comes actually releases us from fear and brings peace. Of course we are to be responsible people in the way we conduct ourselves, but not fearful, living in the ‘what ifs’. Instead of needing insurance against possible difficulties, we have assurance in the name of Jesus that if we are part of his Kingdom, walking in righteousness, obedience and love, then God will be there for us in every circumstance of life.
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34, NASU
Ellel 365 - Online Training School
Support the work of Ellel Ministries by buying your Christmas Cards from Just Cards Direct
God's Christmas Gift - Teaching CD
John Berry (JB) is Manager of the Modular Schools and part of the Leadership Support Team at Ellel Glyndley Manor. He also leads the Church Liaison Team for Glyndley which includes his wife Jennie, and was in Baptist Ministry for over 30 years before joining Ellel Ministries. His heart is for the equipping of the church for its ministry, and he sees the healing and deliverance ministry of Ellel as an essential part of this. John has travelled widely in the course of his work, and enjoys being a grandfather 6 times over with a seventh one due at Christmas.