25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?REFLECTIONSWritten by Chris BransdonThere is great blessing in growing up in a place like Australia. Even though south west Sydney might not be considered ‘rich’ I’ve always believed, even as a student who was receiving Centrelink payments, that I was exactly that. Jesus’ listeners had a slightly tougher time. Providing food and clothing for themselves and their families was not always a given. They would have worked the land and been dependent on it. There were no government safety nets to help bring them through if it was a bad year.For the 21st century Australian, the anxiety around food and clothes seems to be more an issue of keeping up with the Joneses. For the 1st century follower of Jesus, it was whether these things would materialise at all. But I think Jesus’ words are an encouragement and rebuke to both: do not worry. At first glance, these words might seem pastorally insensitive. It seems like the worst advice you could give someone who is feeling anxious or worried would be to say ‘stop!’But Jesus’ command not to worry is based on a promise that he is absolutely qualified to make: depend on your heavenly Father instead, and he will give you the food and clothing you need.We pride ourselves on our self-sufficiency. But Jesus points us to the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, who do nothing but exist, and yet they thrive, according to the grace of the Father. Jesus reminds us that the Father has an even greater love for his people, and delights to give them good gifts. We are not, nor have we ever been, in perfect control of our circumstances. But what a blessing to know that I can depend entirely on the one who is. ABOUT THE AUTHORChris attends the 10:30 Fairfield morning service with her husband Thom and by God’s grace is a control freak in recovery.