AT THE CORNER OF WORK AND WORRY

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:4-13

INTRODUCTION

In keeping with the tradition of Daylight Saving Time, and knowing in advance that we were going to pack more into this morning’s worship service than usual, I decided to do a little “sermon shortening” exercise last week and came up with one point instead of two or three.

So here it is: “Worry is a waste of our time and energy, because God has promised to provide us with what we need.” But don’t just take my word for it – Jesus said the same thing much more eloquently in the Sermon on the Mount:

Do not be anxious about your life, about what you shall eat or drink, or about the clothes you shall wear…your Heavenly Father knows that you need all of those things…so seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all of those things will be yours as well.

(Matthew 6:25, 32-33)

The Apostle Paul weighed in on the same theme, as he wrote to the Philippians:

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:6-7)

If anyone has come here today, or tuned in by radio or TV, looking for a way to let go of your worry and to be set free from your anxiety and apprehension, then the words we have just heard can help to lead us in the right direction. Do not be anxious, said Jesus, God know what you need. Have no anxiety about anything, wrote Paul, God has promised to give you His peace.

In this fast paced, pressure-cooker, hustle and bustle modern era, which W. H. Auden once called the “age of anxiety,” it seems to me that many of us are living as the humorist James Thurber once described the life of Harold Ross, longtime editor of The New Yorker. Thurber said about Ross, “He lived at the corner of work and worry.” (From “The Years With Ross,” by James G. Thurber, Signet Publisher, 1957, page 274).

I think we know what that means –

Here’s a teenager, sitting at home, waiting for the telephone to ring. The prom is next week, no one has invited her to go, and she’s worried that she’ll be left out…and laughed at.

Here’s a high school senior, who’s made applications to five colleges and universities, and has his hopes pinned on one in particular. But as the days and weeks pass, the acceptance letter has not come, and he’s worried, feeling that his whole life hangs in the balance.

Here’s a young woman, just completing her first year on the job. It’s time for the annual review, she’s done almost everything they asked her to do…but she’s worried in this roller coaster economy, that they won’t keep her on at the company.

Here’s an older man, finally finishing his career, sitting at the testimonial dinner, wearing the engraved gold watch they have just given him. His wife is smiling proudly, but deep down, he’s worrying “What am I going to do with myself now?”

Here’s an elderly couple whose children have grown up and moved away. They don’t need the big house anymore, the backyard swing has been silent for years now and the pastor is talking to them about a retirement center. She says to her husband, “It’s time we made the move, Robert. It’s for the best.” He replies, “But what if no one comes to visit us there – what then?” You see, he’s worried about living out his days in loneliness.

And here’s that same pastor, who prayed with that elderly couple and told them “not to worry, God works all things together for good” – here’s that same pastor standing before you today in the midst of our Annual Giving Campaign. You are a generous congregation, more generous than any I have ever known. And yet I confess that my anxiety level goes up around this time of year until we announce that we have finally reached our goal - $3,450,000 for the ministry and mission of this great church.

The reality is that many of us do live at the corner of work and worry. And if you have grown weary of being there, if you are tired of running around in circles without getting anywhere, if you are concerned about the wear and tear to your body, your mind, your soul and your family, then listen again to what Jesus and Paul have already told us:

Do not be anxious – God knows what you need. Have no anxiety about anything – God has promised you His peace. The truth is – “worry is a waste of our time and energy, because God has promised to provide us with what we need.”

Do you believe that today? If you do, or if you want to, then the way to move forward is to trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, strength and mind, and leave your worries behind!

Back in 1955, when Congress passed a law requiring that all of our money would bear the motto “In God We Trust,” there was a pervasive attitude across this country that those words reflected a sense of hope, unity, and confidence among us. But almost fifty years later, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the prevailing winds blowing across America today are more fearful, divisive and insecure.

The candidates running for election have been asking the question “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” Most Republicans say “yes,” most Democrats say “no.” But of this we can be certain: whoever is elected next Tuesday, be it to the White House, the Congress, the State Legislature or City Hall, whoever is elected to any key position of leadership has the God given mandate to remind us that “United we stand, divided we fall.”

So it is in Iraq and Afghanistan, between Israelis and Palestinians, in all of the war-torn regions on earth…and closer to home, right here in every denomination and local church. We need and we seek peace and reconciliation between us. And the only way that is going to happen is by praying for it, working toward it, not worrying about it and trusting our lives to the Lord.

“In God We Trust” is more than a motto printed on our money. “In God We Trust” is a way of life for people of faith who believe that the Lord has promised to provide us with all that we need.

There’s a man in this church who believes that. His name is Captain Oates. He’s the head of our security guards, and almost every morning as I walk into this building I look at him and I ask “Captain Oates, are we secure?” He looks at me straight in the eye and says “Yes sir, we’re secure.” Listen: he’s a believer! And if you are living at the corner of work and worry, then listen again to our texts for today:

Do not be anxious about your life, said Jesus. Your Heavenly Father knows what you need. Have no anxiety about anything, wrote the Apostle Paul. God has promised to give you His peace.

That is the bottom line for people of faith. And it applies to election campaigns, to annual giving campaigns and to every dimension of our lives. Worry is a waste of our time and energy, because God has promised to provide us with what we need.

It seems to me that is the message God wants us to hear today. His will is good for us, He is watching over us and He wants us to live not in fear but by faith. So trust in the Lord my friends, trust in the Lord. And when you have given and done your best, then leave the rest in His hands.

In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The sermon distribution fund has been established by the Session of First Presbyterian Church to enable friends and groups to make contributions for the printing of the Sunday sermons. Sermon leaflets will be printed from time to time, as they are requested and as funds are available. Please designate your gift for Sermon Distribution Fund. Thank you for your support.