In Matthew 6:24-34, God reminds us how much he loves us and uses creation to reveal that. This is especially comforting when we are faced with fear and anxiety. I know that this particular gospel has been my go to when I have been experiencing anxiety over things that I don’t have control over. God is revealing how much he loves us and we should never have to worry about Him taking care of our needs. God doesn’t just tell us that he will take care of us, but that he will give us more than what we need at the time. When we are worried about being able to afford food, God tells us to look at the birds of the air and they don’t have to work for their food, yet God provides and reminds us that we are more important than they are. We don’t have to worry or be anxious about anything as long as we are seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. In Matthew 6:24–34, Jesus reminds us how much God loves us and uses creation to reveal that love. This is especially comforting when we are faced with fear and anxiety. I know that this particular Gospel has been a place I have gone to when I am experiencing anxiety over things that I don’t have control over. Jesus reminds us that God knows what we need and that we can place our trust in Him.

God doesn’t simply tell us that He will take care of us; He points us toward creation as a reminder of His providence. When we are worried about having enough food, Jesus tells us to look at the birds of the air. They do not store up everything they need for tomorrow, yet our heavenly Father provides for them. Then Jesus reminds us that we are worth much more than the birds. If God cares for His creation in this way, how much more does He care for each one of us?

This does not mean that we will never experience difficult times or that we should stop working, planning, or being responsible. Rather, Jesus is inviting us not to allow our worries to become the center of our lives. There will always be something that we can worry about: finances, our families, our jobs, our health, our future, or things that are completely outside of our control. Jesus reminds us that worrying does not give us control over these things. Instead, He calls us to trust.

I think this is one of the beautiful lessons we can learn from creation. Creation does not have to explain itself to us. The birds sing, the flowers grow, the seasons change, and the sun rises and sets according to the order God has given them. When we take time to notice these things, we can be reminded that God is present and that He has not abandoned us.

But Jesus calls us to go deeper than simply admiring creation. We can look at a beautiful sunset and experience awe, but that awe should lead us to the One who created the sunset. We can see the beauty of a newborn child and recognize the miracle of life, but that wonder can lead us to praise the God who gives life. We can enjoy the changing leaves of October, the mountains, the ocean, the animals, and all the beauty around us, but creation ultimately points beyond itself toward the Creator.

Perhaps this is why our celebration of St. Francis of Assisi in October is so meaningful. St. Francis had a deep appreciation for creation because he recognized that everything God created could lead us closer to God. Creation was not something to worship in place of God; it was something that could help us recognize God's goodness and give Him praise.

So when Jesus tells us, “Do not worry about tomorrow,” He is not asking us to ignore the responsibilities of today. He is asking us to trust that tomorrow is already known by God. Our responsibility is to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and to live faithfully in the present moment.

Maybe one of the greatest challenges for us is learning to recognize when our worries are taking us away from the present. We can spend so much time worrying about what might happen tomorrow that we miss the blessings God has placed in front of us today. We can miss a conversation with our spouse, a moment with our children, a beautiful sunset, a quiet walk, or an opportunity to simply say, “Thank you, God.”

Creation reminds us to slow down. Matthew 6 reminds us to trust. Together, they invite us into a deeper relationship with God.

As we enter this beautiful month of October, perhaps we can make an intentional effort to notice creation around us. But more importantly, when we notice its beauty, let it lead us to prayer. Let the sunrise remind us of God's faithfulness. Let the changing seasons remind us that God is always at work. Let the birds remind us that our Father knows what we need. And let the beauty of creation remind us that we are not alone.

The question is not simply, “Do I see the beauty of God's creation?” The deeper question is, “Does what I see draw me closer to the God who created it?”

May we learn to see creation with grateful hearts, to receive God's blessings with humility, and to trust that the God who cares for all of creation also cares deeply for each one of us.

In Christ,
Dcn. Jeff Arner