Anxious

[Jesus] said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing… And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” Luke 12:22-23, 29-31

It’s not easy knowing when you should worry, if you’re a refugee in a new country. Some of our people came to St. Louis during the fall and winter, when the trees were losing their leaves. The trees in Vietnam keep their leaves all year, so they’d never seen a sight like that. And they asked us, “What terrible thing is happening, that all the trees are dying here?”

Today they can look back and laugh, because now they know that life will return to the trees in spring; but other fears were harder to get rid of. Where would they live? What work would they find? Would they have enough food, clothing, money? At home they had family and friends who would help them if they needed it; but who would help in the new country?

As Christians, we have learned to depend on the Lord to care for us. Jesus suffered, died, and rose again to provide what we need the most—salvation, peace, and everlasting life. And he will meet our lesser needs as well. This is the good news that we can share with newcomers to our country, so that they too will find the peace and joy Jesus gives to all his people.

Dear Lord, bless those who are afraid and worried, and bring them to trust in you. Give them what you know they need, because you love them and gave yourself for them. Amen.

By Dr. Kari Vo