What do you worry about?

What do you worry about? Are you more concerned about being hit by lightning in a thunder storm or falling out of bed? Do you feel safer traveling by car or flying in a plane? Do you become anxious when you sit down to eat dinner? “Why we worry about the things we shouldn’t … and ignore the things we should”, was the title of a recent article in Time magazine. It quoted the following statistics about causes of accidental death in the USA:

More than 10 times as many Americans died from falling out of bed (594) as died from lightning strikes (47) in 2003. In the same year 875 people died from choking on food. By comparison over 685,000 people died from heart disease

The average number of commercial airline accident deaths in the USA over the last 10 years has been 82 per year including the 265 people who died on aeroplanes on September 11, 2001. By comparison 44,757 people died in motor vehicle accidents. From October to December 2001 there were 1,000 more highway fatalities than in the same period the year before. This was in part because more people were choosing to drive than fly.

So, why do we worry more about things that may be far less likely to happen to us and worry less about things that could happen? Researchers suggest that two key factors are our sense of dread (fear) and how much we feel in control. If we think that something may be very painful or be outside our ability to decide what happens we will worry more. So, driving often “seems” safer than flying because we are behind the wheel. In reality, we are far safer trusting the airline pilot!

In a similar way, Year 8 campers had the opportunity to try the “leap of faith”. This involved climbing up spikes to the top of a nine metre high wooden pole, then jumping off and trying to hit a big orange ball on the way down. While the adrenaline levels were high the risk was low due to a safety harness and cable system controlled by a trained camp staff member.

Jesus said, “‘Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.’” (Matthew 6:27, 31-32) (See Matthew 6:25-34 for the full account)

The apostle Paul added, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which goes beyond all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

It is easy to forget that God is our “safety harness” and controls how far we can fall. These readings remind us that whatever we may fear God is with us and for us. They also remind us that in a world that often seems beyond our control God is still in charge. He is our heavenly Father who both protects us and provides for us.

What are you doing with the things that worry you?

Remembered by whom for what?

What do you like people to notice about you? What would you like them to remember about you when you’ve left the room or left this earth? In the last couple of weeks two very different people have been remembered in the media.

Emma Tillman is a name most of us had probably never heard of until her death at the end of February. She was 114 years old and the oldest known person alive at the time of her death. She held the record for only 4 days. Mrs. Tillman was one of twenty three children born to former slaves in the southern United States. Her genetic background seems to have helped her to live so long. She had four siblings who also lived to be over 100 years of age. One brother lived to be 108, one sister reached 105 and two others lived to 102! She lived independently until she was 110 years old and regularly attended church until her 114th birthday in November last year. She also sang in the church choir for seventy years. Mrs. Tillman attributed her long life to God’s will and said that she was “ready to go when the man upstairs called her home”. People remembered her as one of the founders and foundations of her local church community.

In stark contrast, Anna Nicole Smith also died recently at the age of 39. The cause of her death is shrouded in uncertainty and subject to speculation. Was it a drug overdose, murder or something else? Her son died from a drug overdose five month’s ago at the age of 20. Three different men are claiming to be the father of her young baby. In the words of one media article, “She is famous for being famous”. Her claims to fame are related to her roles as a Playboy centerfold, jeans model and bride to an 89 year old Texan billionaire. The death of the billionaire, within a year of their marriage, led to a long running court dispute over his money. People will remember her as a troubled and controversial person who met an early and tragic death.

In God’s eyes, both were equally precious whether they realized it or not. He has no favourites. Jesus made this clear when he said to his followers:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy’. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends his rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:44)

Unlike Anna Nicole Smith, Emma Tillman appears to have understood and received the promise of the Bible which says,

“The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27)

She found in God a place of strength and safety which guided her life and prepared her for death. Have you found that place?

“The God who sees me"

Our society often values the freedom of anonymity. We like to be able to move around without being known or noticed. It is often easier to be just another “face in the crowd” than have to build relationships, deal with conflict or think of the needs of others. This attitude “protects” us from both accountability and commitment. But it also leads to isolation and loneliness.
In the first book of the Bible (Genesis) we read about a woman who was feeling totally alone in the world. Her name was Hagar. In a complicated family situation she was pregnant with her boss’s child. It was an early attempt at a kind of surrogacy. She was carrying a child because her mistress couldn’t have any. But it all went terribly wrong. The conflict between Hagar and her mistress resulted in her running away to the desert. God met her there amidst the rocks and sand. His angel came to her and said,
“Where have you come from and where are you going?

She answered,

“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai”.

Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count”.

He also told her that she was pregnant and outlined the personality and destiny of her son. She was blown away by this and saw God in a new way as a result. “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her;

“You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me”.
(You can read the full account in Genesis chapter 16)

In a similar way, Jesus met a man called Nathanael. He greeted him like this, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.” Nathanael (understandably) asked, “How did you know me?

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you”. Like Hagar Nathanael too was amazed that he was seen and known. (John 1:43-49)

In an often impersonal and uncaring world God sees and knows each of us. What name or names do you use to describe God?