We are concerned with many things in this life. Our Lord understands this, but at least twice in the Gospels, He counsels us to stop being so concerned and worried about these earthly matters. Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?[1]

For those who do not seem to understand, He offers reminders, such as to Martha, the sister of Mary, the one who had chosen to sit at Our Lord’s feet and drop the concerns that consumed her. To Martha, who remained burdened with tasks, He said, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; but one thing is necessary.[2]

What about us? We are quite consumed with earthly concerns. In a great part, this is unavoidable. However, what Our Lord wants us to see is that, despite the need to keep up with food, shelter, clothing, and jobs, there is one thing beyond this which is truly needful, truly necessary. It is Him.

We are so anxious about the things in life which are not guaranteed and secure. We stress and work and labor to secure food, shelter, clothing, and jobs. This makes sense, of course. However, this stress drives us to forget something truly necessary: God. And why is that? Because God begins to appear to us to be secure, to be guaranteed, to be the anchor, to be the Rock.

We feel that we don’t need to stress about God; that He is simply always there. As a result, we direct our energies to other things. So, in the end, we take God for granted. We assume that He is just a “given” that we do not need to work for and do not need to worry over. But is this true?

Is it true that we do not need to work to secure God in our lives, as we work to secure food, shelter, clothing, and jobs? When you glance around, you see material things – this is our world, material things. God is not material, but spiritual and invisible. He is not a part of this world, though He is fully involved in this world.

So, where is He, since He is spiritual and not material? For those in a state of grace, He is in our souls, resting, living, sanctifying. This is the issue. He abides where He is made welcome. He does not abide where He is not welcome. Does this mean God can be lost? Yes, sadly, it does. Our Lord taught this clearly, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.  He who does not love me does not keep my words.”[3]

Therefore, be anxious about one thing: keeping Our Lord’s words and loving Him.

[1] Matthew 6:25

[2] Luke 10:41

[3] john 14: 23-24