oh, the creases.

Speak to us, Lord, till shamed by Thy great giving
Our hands unclasp to set our treasures free;
Our wills, our love, our dear ones, our possessions,
All gladly yielded, gracious Lord, to Thee. —Anon.

Through Christ we have the freedom to let go.

the older I get, the more fears, worries, and concerns I have. and they only get bigger.
my responsibility as an adult looms in my face and the future, though so bright and full of potential, is still uncertain and scary. I begin to worry for many people other than myself. that's multiple burdens on a single shoulder.

I live day to day to day, sometimes (actually most of the time) planning for the future, near and far. I'm so used to it that I take the future for granted. cos in a way, we must assume a future that we can actually live and plan. It's not a morbid thought to think, but I forget that every breath I take is at the mercy of the Lord. my life can be taken away at any moment He wants to. I'm not saying that then I don't have to plan or worry. Planning and worrying is one thing, but planning and knowing that everything is ultimately at the foot of Jesus' cross is another. that freedom is something I don't really know about yet. maybe i have a glimpse of it, but many times when I feel the uncertainty of my future and the future of my family (and not just the material), I cannot help but feel very burdened. I wish I knew that freedom.

Jesus said: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Luke 12:22-34