OPINION

Johnson: Seeking God can fulfill expectations

Jessica Johnson

"Therefore I say unto you, 'Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?'"-Matthew 6:25

I've meditated on this Scripture passage quite a bit this year, given the ongoing economic mayhem that continues to be aggravated by partisan bickering in Washington. Middle- and working-class families had to nervously watch the payroll tax debate unfold earlier this month, and were relieved only slightly when a short-term compromise was reached so an estimated $30 to $40 would not be cut from their paychecks. Unfortunately, this bitter fight will resume in Congress after the Christmas holidays.

Like many Americans, I've certainly done my fair share of finger-pointing and venting about the squabbling among our elected leaders, but after letting out my frustration through text messages and conversations with friends, God always draws me back to my source of hope: faith in the promises of his word.

What is particularly comforting about what Jesus said in Matthew 6:25 is that taking "no thought" means not to worry. It's difficult not to worry sometimes, because we are troubled by what we see. And with the constant disturbing news domestically and internationally, along with what may be going on in our personal lives, what we see is often not good.

Yet, the beautiful principle about faith is that it will keep you from living your life in a panic mode.

A lot of people mischaracterize faith in God as a feel-good, fairy-tale lifestyle of wishing upon a star. But faith is not about wishing. It's about asking and believing God to meet every need that you have. It's about getting results from answered prayers. That's why Jesus said, in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Combine this verse with I Peter 5:7: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you," and basically God is saying, "I've got your back."

I taught on the spiritual tenet of not having anxiety in my Sunday school class earlier this year. Many members of my church congregation have been hit hard economically by the recession, and one of the themes I wanted to emphasize was the assurance of Matthew 6:25, along with the promise of the remaining verses of this chapter. In Matthew 6:26, Jesus tells us to "behold the fowls of the air," pointing out that they don't sow, reap or gather into barns, but our heavenly father feeds them.

I shared with the class how I think about this verse every time I see people feeding ducks and geese where I live during the spring and summer months. When the ducks and geese fly or waddle down to the pond, if you happen to be standing around they will unabashedly approach you expecting to be fed - and if you don't have anything to give them, they will find it from someone else. The point is that their seeking results in their expectations being met every day.

Likewise, in Matthew 6:33, Jesus commands us to "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." In this verse, "things" mean our everyday needs, which are promised when we become kingdom-minded. Being kingdom-minded means we live with the expectation that we will not lack.

As you continue to celebrate the Christmas season and prepare for 2012, I encourage you to seek God for guidance in everything - your career, business, family and personal relationships. The economy doesn't look great right now, but don't worry. Don't stress. Take comfort and joy in knowing that once you ask, God is ready to bless you with what you need.

• Jessica Johnson, a 1987 graduate of Clarke Central High School, is a correspondent for the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch and an assistant professor of composition at Central State University.