“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore” (Psalm 131).
Jesus is this psalm in person. “Take heart,” He says to you, “I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). But no, Lord, You don’t understand! We’re adults, we have responsibilities, “if not us, who? If not now, when?” How many of us live agitated lives and have anxious hearts? Parker Palmer calls us “functional atheists.” One of the best pieces of advice I was ever given is “Accept chaos, give back calm, provide hope.” Calm and quiet to have and to share come from hope, from trusting the Lord will take care of you. Jesus often held children up as the model for His followers. “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4). “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children” (Matthew 11:25).
When a child is weaned, it doesn’t forget its mother. Thanks to Face Time, Diane and I often see our young grandchildren snuggle with their mothers. Jesus has given you His words as you go into your adult day. “Like a weaned child is my soul within me.” You are loved and Jesus will take care of you.
One thing’s needful; Lord this treasure / Teach me highly to regard.
All else, though it first give pleasure, / Is a yoke that presses hard!
Beneath it the heart is still fretting and striving.
No true, lasting happiness ever deriving.
This one thing is needful; / all others are vain—
I count all but loss that I Christ may obtain. (LSB 536, 1)
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