“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, And all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
One of my favorite Disney movies is The Lion King, I can’t tell you how many times I watched it with my kids when they were small. Recently I overheard someone use the term “Hakuna Matata”, it was quoted by Simba’s two friends to help keep him from worrying. “Hakuna matata” is a Swahili phrase; translated, it roughly means “No problems” or “Don’t Worry, be Happy”.
If your experiences are like mine, telling someone who is in distress “don’t worry” is not very productive. “Don’t worry”, should be one of the more comforting phrases found in the Bible, especially because when Jesus tells us not to worry it’s more of a command then a suggestion. In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus tells us “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” The KJV version uses the phrase “Take no thought for your life”.
If we notice, Jesus doesn’t start out by just saying “don’t worry”, that doesn’t come until verse 25, He first addresses some of the issues that cause worry, mainly putting away the premise of promoting ourselves and maintaining a prominent role among our peers and subordinates. He addresses things concerning our charitable deeds, praying in public, fasting and material possessions. None of these things are bad unless we do them with the wrong motive and therefore have received our reward from men.
Jesus begins to teach His disciples early on about the hindrances that come with focusing on themselves. There is a burden that comes with self-promotion that causes us to worry, an added distraction in our lives that prevents us from living in liberty. It’s the idea of traveling light, not carrying the added weight that can hinder our walk and serving others.
This is where the phrase “Hakuna Matata” loses its relevance, you see, we can only live in liberty and without worry by keeping ourselves in the love of God. It’s not this carefree life ignoring our responsibility.
The small but powerful epistle of Jude is a good reminder in the day and age we live in, he says in verse 3 “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints”. However he warns us, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life”. When our lives are focused on kingdom building, we can have major concerns and still be free of worry. Jude ends his letter with one of the greatest benedictions in the Bible.
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.” Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves full time at America’s Keswick. You can email him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org
Think About This: Do not heed the jar of man’s warring opinions. Let God be true and every man a liar. The Bible is the Bible still. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God. Horatius Bonar
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Be gracious to me, O God, for my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, until destruction passes by. Psalm 57:1
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 331 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Sandra Salama
22:08 14 Jan 23
Amazing experience for people of all ages
Amerin Meric
19:17 14 Jan 23
Awesome place to gather with friends. Also has an excellent record for helping people out of alcoholism.
David Garzetta
01:46 11 Jan 23
Beautiful facility, caring individuals, good food
Alvin Abraham
22:22 08 Jan 23
This is a really nice Retreat center. The facilities are very nice, with beautiful scenery. Staff and all are really sweet and nice.Only negative I would say was the Food isn't very good.
Camilo Pereira
20:18 02 Jan 23
Great for gathering and worship The Lord
soyun chong
22:40 30 Dec 22
Very nice place for a church retreat. Kind employees, nice rooms and area
SuperKmess
21:45 27 Dec 22
great dinner and concert
E T Rahn
22:45 11 Dec 22
Great Christian retreat center
Carl Washington
01:46 05 Dec 22
When you enter the Grounds something just happens to your body and it's a beautiful thing.
Valery Alvaro
18:26 04 Dec 22
Amazing place. You can learn a lot about God here!
Ultron Prime
15:52 03 Dec 22
Wonderful place
Ellen Morris
22:55 10 Nov 22
All I know is the next step is heaven! We love America's Keswick's events...true, Christian experience & very gifted singers & musicians.
ruth vientos
18:53 05 Nov 22
Beautiful place,room nice and cozy, good food , you can walk around it's a lake and is beautiful, you can use the pit , we used for our petitions to God, really a nice place.
Andrew Burkart
01:45 01 Nov 22
A great place for a church retreat! The property is beautiful and makes for a great place to escape the city. A lot of opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities depending on what you are feeling.
Betty Rosales
14:55 15 Oct 22
Always , Always , Always peaceful and refreshing .Among the hurried and agitated ways of the world , it is necessary to come away and rest ! ! !Our Souls are in need of trusting our Saviour and allowing Him to be Lord of our lives .America's... Keswick affords the nature , creation to minister to us in a unique way 🙌God knows what we need and provides for our needs in a place that is quiet and safe 🕊️read more
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 331 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Sandra Salama
22:08 14 Jan 23
Amazing experience for people of all ages
Amerin Meric
19:17 14 Jan 23
Awesome place to gather with friends. Also has an excellent record for helping people out of alcoholism.
David Garzetta
01:46 11 Jan 23
Beautiful facility, caring individuals, good food
Alvin Abraham
22:22 08 Jan 23
This is a really nice Retreat center. The facilities are very nice, with beautiful scenery. Staff and all are really sweet and nice.Only negative I would say was the Food isn't very good.
Camilo Pereira
20:18 02 Jan 23
Great for gathering and worship The Lord
soyun chong
22:40 30 Dec 22
Very nice place for a church retreat. Kind employees, nice rooms and area
SuperKmess
21:45 27 Dec 22
great dinner and concert
E T Rahn
22:45 11 Dec 22
Great Christian retreat center
Carl Washington
01:46 05 Dec 22
When you enter the Grounds something just happens to your body and it's a beautiful thing.
Valery Alvaro
18:26 04 Dec 22
Amazing place. You can learn a lot about God here!
Ultron Prime
15:52 03 Dec 22
Wonderful place
Ellen Morris
22:55 10 Nov 22
All I know is the next step is heaven! We love America's Keswick's events...true, Christian experience & very gifted singers & musicians.
ruth vientos
18:53 05 Nov 22
Beautiful place,room nice and cozy, good food , you can walk around it's a lake and is beautiful, you can use the pit , we used for our petitions to God, really a nice place.
Andrew Burkart
01:45 01 Nov 22
A great place for a church retreat! The property is beautiful and makes for a great place to escape the city. A lot of opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities depending on what you are feeling.
Betty Rosales
14:55 15 Oct 22
Always , Always , Always peaceful and refreshing .Among the hurried and agitated ways of the world , it is necessary to come away and rest ! ! !Our Souls are in need of trusting our Saviour and allowing Him to be Lord of our lives .America's... Keswick affords the nature , creation to minister to us in a unique way 🙌God knows what we need and provides for our needs in a place that is quiet and safe 🕊️read more