Roping Religion: Trust in God

Many of the ideas and scriptures for this article are from the devotional “God Wants You To Win!” by world champion calf roper Jeff Copenhaver.

Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Jeff’s devotional was about a young man who flew to Australia at his own expense to help Jeff on a cowboy mission trip. The young man left Bozeman, Montana, on an adventure. He was a bit beat up and weary from roping so much at the schools but the best was yet to come. He met his future wife on that trip because he had the courage to get out of his comfort zone.

It is the middle of March as I write this. Our community has taken several measures to combat the coronavirus including closing many establishments, schools and churches. The stores are having a hard time keeping the shelves stocked and some people in our community have not been behaving like mature believers in Jesus. I don’t know if the people fighting over toilet paper and meat are believers or not but I do know that God wants us to trust Him.

The government is attempting to come up with solutions to combat both the medical and financial emergencies our country is currently facing. We ought to pray for our leaders but we need to remember that Jesus is still on the throne. God is not surprised by the circumstances we are facing. He wants us to pray and trust Him.

The opening scripture encouraged us to not worry about our lives. God gives us food to eat and clothes to wear. Every good gift comes from Him. Perhaps instead of hoarding some items you might consider helping someone out with items you can spare. In a “me first” society sharing might seem extreme but we reap what we sow. God is not mocked. He knows those who are good stewards and generous people and those who are trusting in something or someone other than Him.

God cares about birds, flowers and us. He knows what we need. God wants us to seek first His kingdom not our kingdom. He wants us to not worry about tomorrow. That does not mean we need to be foolish. Some members of society currently on spring break don’t care if they contract a virus that could possibly harm someone else. The Bible encourages us to consider others as better than ourselves however.

We should not be presumptuous. We should heed the wisdom of Proverbs and have some items in our storehouse. Each of our situations is different. God knows our hearts. He knows those He can trust not just with resources but also with His people. Today would be a good day to check up on a friend or loved one. Find out if perhaps you could help out a neighbor or someone who has a legitimate need.

Jesus washed His disciples feet. This current crisis may be an opportunity for you and I to serve and help others. If today you hear His voice harden not your hearts.

May God bless you big.

——

This is the sixth in a series of columns by Kevin Barsotti, pastor of Ark Church in Havre.