food for thought for the bible thumpers and agnostics alike

Many Fourth Church mission trips are referred to as “mission in reverse.” On these trips, participants engage in a ministry of presence and active listening. They travel to experience others’ stories of life and faith and to learn from them.

Over and over on mission trips, our neighbors around the world remind their visitors of Jesus’ lesson about worrying. We Americans find ourselves worrying about material things, and we often horde our possessions and financial resources. Much of our energy focuses on feeding our appetites for food and clothing. We are anxious for a spacious house, a fancy car, and many other possessions because they signify success to our friends and to ourselves. We give away our old clothes and worn-out appliances and save our prized heirlooms.

In Third World cultures, the opposite is often true. People give away their heirlooms (many times to strangers), share their prized possessions with others who are in need, and live quite simply in very small houses with basic amenities. They have learned to trust that God will provide for them.

Our anxiety reflects our hesitancy to trust in God and our lack of a generous spirit. Jesus cautions us to not worry about physical and material needs to the point of letting them dominate our lives. He calls us instead to a higher commitment of loving our neighbors, near and far, and trusting that God will provide the things we need.

Written by Vicki Reynolds, Director of Mission, 4th Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL