October 21 | 1 Peter 5: 6-7

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DAILY READING

1 Peter 5: 6-7

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REFLECTION

Hurl Those Cares Away

By Jenny Raber

When our children were young, they loved to go bowling. With a two-handed heave-ho, they would swing the heavy ball between their legs hurling it toward the pins. Upon release and hearing the loud thud, their energy shifted to celebration as they eagerly watched the ball make its way to the end of the lane.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (v. 7)

When I recite this verse, I envision the calm, rhythmic motion of a fly fisherman casting his line into a beautiful river. It seems so easy and effortless. And while I wish casting my anxiety onto God felt easy and effortless, it honestly feels more like the two-handed, heave-ho of a bowling ball. It’s heavy, burdensome, and it takes a lot of energy and willpower for me to let go.

Before we hurl our anxieties onto God, Peter says we first have to humble ourselves.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (v. 6)

Peter packs so much into these two short, but mighty verses! And they both point us in one direction. Just like the position of the bowling pins on the lane make it obvious in which direction to hurl the ball, Peter instructs there is only one way to experience freedom from our anxieties—we turn to God. No matter our circumstances or suffering, before we even pick up the ball, we must humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand.

So how do we humble ourselves? Humility begins with Jesus—the supreme model of biblical humility. We are to have the same mindset as Jesus Christ. (Phil 2: 3-8). With a humble and teachable heart, we daily practice relinquishing control, pride, and self-righteousness—or whatever weighs us down. It takes strength and fortitude to daily throw off everything that keeps us from first trusting God. Whatever it is—that difficult conversation with a friend that still simmers; the promotion awarded to a colleague over us; the diagnosis that stops us in our tracks—we heave-ho it all to God. Each day we have a thousand big and little opportunities to practice humility—to daily turn to God with complete dependence.

We can do this because we have a trustworthy and caring Father. Psalm 55 mirrors Peter’s words. King David, witnessing violence in his city, surrounded by enemies, and anguished by the betrayal of a close friend, turns to prayer and places his trust in God. David says:

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.…But as for me, I trust in you.” (Psalm 55: 22,23)

At times, it feels like there is an endless stream of bowling balls coming at us. We must keep hurling each one down the lane—day after day, ball after ball, releasing them to God. As we spiritually mature and practice humility daily, the process will become easier and more effortless. Like my kids did when they finally let go of the ball, we can celebrate with praise and gratitude the sense of freedom and relief that comes from unclenching our grip and releasing control. Through prayer and faith, we find rest and sustenance--our home--in the loving presence of our blessed Father.

PRAYER

Thank you, Good and Gracious Father, for being a God that cares for us. Thank you for gracefully taking on all our anxieties and providing us rest in Your loving presence. Help us to keep our hearts teachable and humble, having the same mindset as Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In Your Holy Name, Amen!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JENNY RABER

I am so grateful for the loving and welcoming community at UALC. My husband and I, along with our three (now adult) children began attending Lytham Road services around 2009. And before that, well, I’ve just loved the Bible for about as long as I can remember. I am so thrilled to be a part of the Daily Devotional Writing Team.