Tied up in Knots

Ever felt "tied up in knots" inside your heart, your emotions? Ever wonder what that could be about? What makes us worry, get anxious, angry, frustrated, sad, depressed, and scared? I think that Jesus had an answer:

"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

Luke 12:29-31 (Message)

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Luke 12:29-31(NIV)

We get so "attached" to things. We want, we need, we think that we must have "things" (which can be getting things or having circumstances go our way) happen the way we think they should. Attachment to these things "ties us up in knots." Have you have run over a rope or string with a lawn mower? It gets all tied up around the blades and it can take a very long time to get it undone and be able to use the mower again.

This is also true of life. When we get all tied up in knots worried/attached to/about the things in the world - how will the bills get paid, what will I eat today, what will happen tomorrow, this better turn out right, they better love me, I can't believe that happened, etc -we cannot live our lives with joy and peace. We get all tied up and it takes hours, days, weeks, for us to get untied and feel better. Life is not fun. Our focus in on being a dictator, a possessor, a ruler of our own lives.

We do not have to be the dictator of our lives. We do not have to be attached to the outcome - it is not ours to determine. We need to live fully in the moments given to us and just love. Love - acting, saying, and doing loving things - with everyone we encounter each and every moment is being "steeped in God-provision, God-reality, and God-iniative." This is the kingdom of God right here and right now. If we love, show compassion, show kindness in each of our moments we will see that our life is never in knots on the inside, "things" take care of themselves, and we will have what we have always wanted - peace and joy - but not by trying to control our circumstances. Rather, we allow God to order our lives through what feel like chaos and we just have the right thoughts and actions of the kingdom of God in each moment, living mindfully so that we don't run over those ropes.

Namaste'