Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
It means no worries for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!
These are the first few lines from the song “Hakuna Matata” sung by Pumbaa, the warthog and Timon, the meerkat in Disney’s The Lion King. This motto of “no worries” also rings true with Jesus’ lesson on anxiety from the gospel of Matthew. Jesus’ motto although not put to song goes like this: “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
As Christians, we are called to put our faith and trust in God. In fact, here in America, on our money is written the words “In God we trust”. Yet, many of us can not go through one day, some not even one hour, without worrying about something. We, who worry, even think that it is only the simpletons in life like Disney’s warthog Pumbaa, whose name means ‘simpleton’ in Kiswahili, are the ones that do not worry. Yet, Jesus our Lord teaches us that worrying is a sign of “little faith”.
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Here on beautiful Fort Myers Beach, most of the year round parishioners, who live on this island, are connected in some way with making the visitors, who come here, have a relaxing time. Yet, most of these same folks, behind the beaming smiles are worrying about something. Concerns such as ‘Will business be good enough to get us through the non-season months?’ or ‘How bad is the oil crisis going to affect us here on the island?’ are on many folks’ minds these days.
These common island concerns are important when making business plans. Yet, these plans and others can be made a lot easier when we allow the Holy Spirit to a part of our planning. The same goes when we are facing life threatening illnesses or diseases such as cancer. We do what the doctors tell us to do, but there comes a point when we have to trust in the Lord. During times of distress, St. Paul assures us with these words from his letter to the Romans, chapter eight, verse twenty-eight, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
We here at St. Raphael’s continue to be blessed by God. I believe that this is because we continue to seek to love the Lord by serving one another. As your shepherd, I know that many of you have suffered personal sorrows. I also have seen your faith rise through these times of trial.
The welcome home that you gave me, when I returned from Family Medical Leave, was appreciated more than you can ever think or imagine. The love that you continue to show for my husband and me is worth the recent trials that we have both suffered.
It is when we put our trust in God, not in the schemes of men, that we see the blessings of God. I invite you to attend this important meeting this Tuesday with Bishop Smith to begin the spiritual healing that needs to begin in order for us to go forward in faith. Only when we are united in Christ, can we be used by the Lord to be a blessing for others.
In closing, let us listen once more to these words from the Psalm for today:
“He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honour; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah”
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