Steep Yourself in God-Reality (Luke 12)

NOTE: I just wanted to share the passage below. It is the Message version.

²²He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. ²³There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. ²⁴Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

²⁵“Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? ²⁶If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? ²⁷Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance–but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. ²⁸If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

²⁹“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. ³⁰People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. ³¹Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. ³²Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

³³“Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. ³⁴It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.