Friday, January 28, 2011

Daily Bread

In today’s world, countries are measured by their economic makeup, and individuals are measured by how much money they earn and spend. “Worth” defines financial value, in a consumer culture. Are you defined by your consumer habits? Of course not! You’re not just another consumer; you’re a thinker, a helper, a sibling, spouse, grandchild, and friend.
Read a news article, listen to the radio, or speak with friends, and the subject of contentment is unlikely to surface as a hot topic. Marketers excel at selling the idea that obtaining a certain type of food, clothing, and automotive will give us happiness. Yet, the temptation to stay current with consumer trends is an itch that can’t be scratched – it can never be fully accomplished, and its only result is to establish a basis of comparison/competition between our neighbors and ourselves. Happiness and contentment, however, may be found through knowing our true worth.
How do we know what we are worth? To answer that question, let’s start with the lessons of Jesus. In The Lord’s Prayer, Jesus gently reminds us that our divine Father is the King, and
instructs us to acknowledge that God supplies our needs on a daily basis. We are the sons and daughters of God! That is a rich inheritance, indeed!
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
--- Matt 6:9-13 - Life Application Bible, NIV
But is it wishful thinking to hope for our Father to supply our daily needs? Not at all! Jesus teaches, in The Sermon on the Mount, to look to nature for proof that God sustains us.
“Look at the birds,” he said. “Do they have barns where they keep their food? No, God feeds them.”
“And look at the flowers. They do not work. They do not make clothes to wear. God dresses them in clothes more beautiful than a king’s.”
“You are more important than birds. You are more important than flowers. So do not worry. If God takes care of them, he will take care of you.”
--- Matthew 5, 6 – The Beginner’s Bible
What, exactly, is this “daily bread” which Jesus promised that God provides? In the case of the birds, this supply is a daily source of food and sustenance. In the case of the lilies, it is an inherent grace and beauty that money cannot buy. Jesus describes God’s provision of daily bread that is suitable to fulfill our human needs, as well as our deep, spiritual needs. Six centuries before Jesus began his ministry, Jeremiah described how his countrymen had forgotten to rely on God for their needs. Instead, they looked to a political leader to provide them with safety, status, and material wealth. By losing focus on their power of their divine King and establishing a political king, the Israelites were overtaken by a stronger political force, Babylon, in about 400 years.
For my people have done two evil things:
They have abandoned me—
the fountain of living water.
And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns
that can hold no water at all!
--- Jeremiah 2:13
Why doesn’t Jesus instruct us to pray for our weekly supply of bread, or enough grain to fill our storehouses and last throughout the winter? Because Jesus knew that his Father’s supply is always available, so we shouldn’t waste our time and energy stockpiling material supplies for ourselves. Our needs are already provided, on tap, from God. By thinking that we are in charge of creating material wealth to supply our own needs only distracts us from the understanding that our Father richly supplies us.

How does God package his daily supply? It may take the form of a garden plot in which to plant vegetables, a job that allows one parent to work while the other is able to stay home to nourish and teach children, an opportunity to volunteer one’s time with a local charity, the kindness of a friend or stranger, or the beauty of nature.

How will we recognize God’s supply? Our Father has made us, and therefore knows exactly how to communicate to us. Sometimes God’s gifts are literally dropped on our doorstep! Other times, our calm, divine intuition tells us that a decision is the right choice, guiding our steps to this supply.

By seeing and acknowledging God’s gifts, our gratefulness results in happiness and contentment. Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “Who doth His will — His likeness still — Is satisfied.” Poems, p. 79. When we give to each other, we are actually experiencing and sharing God’s rich supply of love and abundance!

How are you loving and giving to your community, and finding gratitude in these changing times?