Preaching Thoughts on a Non-Preaching Sunday

As a boy, I loved Mad Magazine and its slacker icon, Alfred E. Neuman.  Neuman's catchphrase, "What Me Worry?" seemed to bespeak more a devil-may-care attitude than his having figured anything out.  His lack of worry appeared to be the product of dullness and ignorance more than anything else.  Alfred E. Neuman doesn't worry because he doesn't know any better.

Small children and slackers may not worry, but that's only because they don't get it.  Anyone who pays much attention to the state of the world, anyone who has responsibilities and a family to support, how could she not worry?  And yet here is Jesus, suggesting we strike a more Alfred E. Neuman like pose in our lives.  "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life..." 

Our culture is certainly filled with worry and anxiety.  Much of the partisan rancor in our politics is driven by this.  People are worried and anxious and easily become afraid.  When we are frightened our actions become more primal, more primitive.  Those old fight of flight instincts kick in.

You see it in the Church, too.  With all the major denominations losing members, losing influence, and struggling financially, people of faith worry, they grow anxious and afraid.  Far too often, we lash out at those who disagree with us.  We identify "them" as the problem.

I wonder how one becomes less of a worrier without simply burying his head in the sand.  How do we find a way to say "What, me worry?" without it being a sign that we don't have a clue about what is happening?  Jesus is no Alfred E. Neuman, but he says stepping back from our worry is part of life in the Kingdom, in God's new day. 

I don't think Jesus means by this that we are not to respond to the situation around us.  After all, when Jesus saw people's needs, sickness and hunger, he tried to help, and he commanded his disciples to help as well.  But Jesus seemed unconcerned with whether or not what he did solved all problems or fixed everything.  He was able to live out his call and trust that God would use his ministry to bring about God's plans.  And I think that is exactly what Jesus is asking of us.

What, me worry?  Actually, I do more than my share.  But now and then I do experience a touch of what Jesus is talking about.  When I am willing to give up control of things, when I am able simply to do what I should, and let God do with that what may, there is a genuine peace there.  But that is the heart of the faith problem isn't it, really trusting our lives to God.