Have No Fear Little Flock

When I was a little girl I loved being called "little" by my dad. He didn't do it in a condescending way, rather in a way that let me know he would always protect me. "You'll always be my little girl," he'd say. And I felt special and loved and looked after. I am no longer a little girl, but the same need to feel special, loved and looked after remains.

When I was young, I didn't worry or become anxious over whether or not I would have dinner on the table. I wasn't concerned with money or clothes or with much at all - because I knew my parents would take care of it. I had such great assurance of their love, that it wasn't something I had to convince myself of or discipline myself to believe. It was simply true. But I grew up and became so wise. Now I know better than to trust in the love of my Father. I know better than to release control of my finances. I know better...

"And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you." - Luke 12:29-31.

The culture has taught me to worry, to be anxious, about anything and everything. In fact, if I'm not stressed out a great deal of the time, I must be one of those naive people who will eventually fall harder than the rest. But it is impossible to love Jesus and not have the Kingdom on your mind. The question is how much it is on your mind. So many worries and concerns have taken the place of the Kingdom.

"But seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you." To seek the Kingdom is no small thing. It is a giant task - one I often feel ill-equipped to do. But..."Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom." (vs. 32) There it is again - the loving, reassuring voice of God. There is a reason Jesus said "little." It is not to show us that we are small (well maybe), but that He is big. He is more than capable, the keeper of all things, the Perfect Love that casts out fear. And it is His good pleasure to give me the Kingdom. He knows that He is asking me to differentiate myself from the culture, that at times I will be ridiculed for my standards, that there will be moments where all I will have is Him.

But that is all I need. "Have no fear, little flock, have no fear."