Today’s Word from Deacon Amy…
My 13-year-old bought a record player this week. Yep, an actual record player. You know, those things that my parents used to listen to. My daughter now has one. It’s interesting, to me, how fads tend to cycle around. I remember that my mom had a great pair of tall, brown, leather boots that sat in the back of her closet for years. Shortly after she finally got rid of them, they came back in style, and I was so disappointed that they were gone – I would have loved to wear them to high school.
Since she is reviving an old fad, we have recently had to go in hunt of vinyl records for Lia; the first one we brought home was the Best of Bob Marley. She is now sitting in my office listening to Bob Marley sing, “Don’t worry about a thing – every little thing gonna be alright.” Aside from being a catchy tune, it’s a pretty inspiring message.
Again and again the Bible reminds us not to worry. A favorite verse of mine is in Philippians, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Sometimes it’s easy for me to get caught up in worry – the “what if’s” can feel nearly overwhelming at times – this verse reminds me to slow down and give those worries to God. In fact, I think I’ll print it out and hang it on my wall – a good daily reminder to let go of worry and lean into God.
I don’t know a lot about the Rastafari religion – just what I’ve read online to be honest – but it seems to me that they are a people of hope – they remember what the Israelites experienced during their years of slavery under Pharaoh, and like them, they look forward to a time when they will reach the Promised Land. They tend to let go of the worries of today, and look forward to the good news of the future.
Perhaps this is a good time for all of us to practice letting go of today’s worries. As the Book of Matthew reminds us, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Don’t worry, friends, for we know that, with God, every little thing is gonna be alright.
Deacon Amy
