Be Careful For Nothing, Absolutely Nothing

Last week was the perfect example of why I love my job. We hosted a group of tourism and hospitality professionals from all over the state for a two-day leadership conference. We started the first night with an escape room at a local attraction and then spent the next two days hearing from experts on a number of leadership topics, having great conversations, and eating meals from a ton of local restaurants.

The event organizers and I have been planning this leadership symposium since September, although I will admit the time went by so very fast. Lots of things have happened and changed in that time, I've learned a lot, and we've forged some great new partnerships while having a lot of fun doing it.

I also know that it was a great event because God already had it planned it all out, even better than we could have on our own. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. Was I frustrated at times? Yes. Was I anxious from time to time, hoping that the timing would work, the food would show up as ordered, and everyone would arrive and return home safely? Yes.

But two verses of Scripture kept showing up in my brain, even as I was trying to make things perfect for our guests.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Careful is old English for anxious. Be anxious for nothing. What does nothing mean? Nothing. Not. A. Thing. Seems pretty simple, but it's a challenge in the moment when you're uncertain and not in control. We had several moments when we were delayed at one location before we went on to the next, service was slower than expected, weather to the north was horrendous, and I was concerned about what the week was going to bring.

But following Paul's guidance and turning worry into prayer and supplication - with a huge helping of thanksgiving -  was exactly what I needed. 

In my situation, I was praying that God would settle my heart because I knew that He had the timing already figured out. My biggest concern was disappointing and inconveniencing the businesses we were relying on, so I was also praying that their hearts would be tender to our large group and a somewhat-changing timeline as the days and evenings progressed.

And it helped to know that Danny was praying, too.

In the end, God already had the whole situation figured out: the timeline, the attendance, the catering, the transportation. I was stressed over nothing in God's eyes, even though it didn't feel like nothing in the moment. But prayer calmed me and everything turned out just the way it needed to.

We worry because we care,
But turn the worry into prayer,
And leave it there.

Be careful for nothing this week, and see how God blesses and honors your faith in Him.

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