You
are big enough...and you have enough time, too.
The translations of this verse in our present day versions
of the Bible seem to vary quite a bit. The
reason is the words used by Christ are measurement terms that may refer to time
or size. The supportive verses which
assist with the translations support both interpretations of Jesus’ words. So, here are two seemingly different
interpretations from Matthew
6:27:
And who of you by being
worried can add a single hour to his life?
(New American
Standard Bible)
Can
any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying? (Holman
Christian Standard Bible)
Let’s take a look at the NASB translation. It is certainly true that worrying about
dying does not help us live longer. It actually takes time off our lives. Yet, with the internet providing access to all
kinds of medical information, people will type in symptoms and seek diagnosis
fearing the worst. So what do they
find? Exactly what they were looking
for. And then the worrying begins as
they await their appointment with their physician only to find...well, you know
the story; their worry was futile. Is
there any way worry can make you well? “Absolutely
not!” Jesus says, “Why waste the
energy?”
What about the other example of size? We have a tendency to feel that "If I
only had more__________” or “If only I was in _________”, my life would be
better. Francis Schaeffer wrote a book
entitled, No Little People & No Little Places. Most Christians take an honest look at
themselves and conclude that their limited talents, energy, and knowledge mean
that they don't amount to much. Francis A. Schaeffer says that the biblical
emphasis is quite different. With God there are no little people! Each
Christian is to be an instrument of God in the place God has placed them. We
must remember throughout our lives that in God’s sight there are no little
people and no little place.
If our total concern is what we could be if we were not us,
how do we discover what we could be if we were us? The demeaning of our being is an insult to
God and His plan. So what if you were
taller, smaller, stronger or longer? (I could
not pass the rhyme.J) Would that really mean you would be
“better?” We can be all God wants us to be
as right where we are and as we are in size.
So, today, how about celebrating who you are where you are.
See if you don’t find a less stress-filled life.
Scripture to Claim:
I
don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances
I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any
and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content--whether well-fed or hungry, whether in
abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens
me. Philippians 4:11-13
