A few days ago, at the grocery store, I saw a copy of a magazine I used to read as a kid, MAD magazine. On the cover of the magazine is always a freckled face youngster with the caption, “what me worry?” It is easy to worry, though. Our taxes are due in a few weeks, which raises our stress level. There was an account in the news yesterday about the nuclear ambitions of North Korea, which is raising tensions in Asia. Also, there are folks who are worried about a medical issue such as cancer or dementia. What me worry almost seems hollow when you think about these different things. Anxiety is also high for folks wrestling with PTSD as well as their families.
But here is the central question raised by Ecclesiastes. What is the point of the worrying? I mean I can’t discover the future, so why should I worry about it? In a few minutes, I am having lunch with my wife. Should I worry about food poisoning considering I can’t discover anything about the future, and there is nothing I can do? My Dad died at 66, should I worry? Well, I can take care of myself, but since I can’t discover the future, why worry about something I can’t see?
Another point needs to be mentioned. Worry about the future is mitigated not only by the futility of it, but also because we know not what the future holds, but who is with us now and in the future. In other words, we do not know the future, attempting to discover it is futile at best, but we know that Jesus Christ will be with us in the future as he is now. And this Jesus Christ is the one who understands who we are, what we are dealing with, and has the power and the love for us to help us. Think of it this way. I really do not worry about the future of my car because I have a really good mechanic who will take care of it. Likewise we have a Savior who takes care of us now and in the future. So, worrying about the future is futile because of our inability to know it, as well as the continued presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ.