God's Side of Care The way our transportation systems are laid out, choosing the right side of the road is very critical for safe navigation. There are usually signs that are intended to help with this, but sometimes they can be a bit difficult to decipher, especially when distracted at all. I had seen other people on the wrong side of the road for the direction they were moving before, and had come to the conclusion that they weren’t all that bright, until… I was traveling North on the I35 access road, needing to go left under the overpass, while distracted enough to misunderstand which lane would take me there. All of a sudden, I found myself in the category I had placed that other person, facing oncoming traffic, not realizing soon enough that I was on the wrong side of the road. Fortunately, all those drivers who were now thinking I wasn’t all that bright were stopped at a light, giving me enough room to turn and avoid a collision. I certainly had it ingrained deep within me, though, how necessary and wonderful it is to avoid the wrong side of the road for even a moment. As we navigate the areas of our lives that are dear to our hearts, the direction we take can either be following its best course or we can find ourselves engaging with oncoming obstacles that are most perilous and disconcerting. From the Word we’ve been given direction and insight that will make our way safe, but heeding this wisdom will require letting go of the weight of care for self-direction. In order for God to influence our cares we’ll have to allow Him to carry them for us. Though they are very real and not to be ignored, when they are cast on Him, there is direction found for their resolution that will rise above any ominous forebodings. The God side, especially when anxious times could overwhelm, is where peace passes understanding with a wonderful assurance that His caring is more than enough. Rather than finding ourselves on the wrong side of our cares, completely distracted from what is ours in Christ, we can choose God’s side of them, where our direction is always kept safe at His side. Notes Elements of a care Something/someone with which there is a heart connection. A sense of responsibility/ability to influence Submission to the best resolution Care Definition A concerned or troubled state of mind, as that arising from serious responsibility; worry. An object or source of worry, attention, or solicitude. Interest, regard, or liking. Strong's μέριμνα merimna mer'-im-nah From G3307 (through the idea of distraction); solicitude: - care. μερίζω merizō Thayer Definition: to divide to separate into parts, cut into pieces to divide into parties, i.e. be split into factions to distribute a thing among people bestow, impart God’s passion – to personally care for every aspect of our life Deuteronomy 11:10-12 10 For the land you are about to enter and possess is not like the land of Egypt where you have come from, where irrigation is necessary. 11 It is a land of hills and valleys with plenty of rain— 12 a land that the Lord your God personally cares for! His eyes are always upon it, day after day throughout the year! Relating to His care is beyond the normal understanding Hebrews 2:6 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: "WHAT IS MAN THAT YOU ARE MINDFUL OF HIM, OR THE SON OF MAN THAT YOU TAKE CARE OF HIM? Our perception of care will look quite different than His. Mark 4:38 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Luke 10:40 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” Best solution for our cares, care for the Father Matthew 6:31-34 31 (31-32) “So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, 33 and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to. 34 “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time. It’s only in the casting of our care that His care can take over 1 Peter 5:6-7 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. In order to cast a care, must have one – cares not prohibited, just need to be on the right side of them. When what is dear to your heart becomes a distraction to your faith, then you are most likely on a care side other than God’s. For God’s care presented in His Word to bear fruit, there must be casting of ours over to His side. Matthew 13:22 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. Until they’re cast, our cares are in the category of carousing and drunkenness as distractions from readiness. Luke 21:34 34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. Every good thing can become a distraction until it is cast. 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. What does cast care look/feel like? Philippians 4:6-7 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Overview: For everything our heart is connected to with a sense of responsibility, there is a God side that is much better than ours. The Father is passionate about personally caring for every need in our life. For His care to be effective, our cares must be cast completely onto Him. Cares are not wrong but can be great distractions from faith until they are cast on Him. The Father’s care is provided in humble submission to His Word. For every care, there is an opportunity for getting on God’s side of it in Word-based prayer with gratitude that the answer is already provided. Prayer: I bring all the parts of my heart that are connected to things in this life, desiring to cast them completely on You and discover how great Your care can be for each one of them. As they are released now into what You’ve already provided for them in Your Word, I receive Your peace that overwhelms any reason for anxiety or concern. Declarations: The greatest Caregiver, my heavenly Father, has given me access to His personal care for every area of need in my life. I choose His side of each care, applying the treasure of His direction and knowing the peace that is mine in trust. Instead of being distracted and anxious about any concern in this life, I let it become an opportunity for engaging my relationship with my Father and experiencing His care. In choosing His side of my cares, I am released completely from my limited ability to care for them and any associated worry. Freed from the distractions of my own cares, I set my heart first on things above with full assurance that every need will follow after me.