Opposites

With the recent abundance of discussions about ChatGPT and other AI (Artificial Intelligent) tools, one comedian asked, “What’s the opposite of Artificial Intelligence?” and answered, “Natural Stupidity.” Sometimes, in learning languages, I use opposites to remember vocabulary. Two such examples are “merry” (happy) and “mellow” (relaxed or calm). In Greek, however, meri- and melo mean “worry, concern, or anxiety.”

Peter said,

“Setting aside all worries (meri-mna) because he is concerned (melo) about you, you be sober and alert.” (1 Pet 5:7–8a).

These two words, meri- and melo, were common in Jesus’s teachings and life. In a sermon, Jesus taught them not to worry (meri-) about what they would eat and clothe themselves with since God, who cared for the sparrows and lilies, cared for them (Matt 6:25–28). Further, in the parable of the sower and the seed, Jesus taught how the world’s cares (meri-) – the deceit of riches and the desires of many things – choked the life of plants to make them unfruitful (Matt 13:22).

Jesus’s friends thought of him as uncaring, i.e., too mellow, chilled, and not worrying about situations. When he was comfortably sleeping through a storm on the sea, the disciples woke him up, saying, “Teacher, don’t you care (melo) that we are dying?” (Mark 4:38). Later, Martha asked Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care (melo) that my sister left me alone to serve? Tell her to come and assist me” (Luke 10:40).

They saw him not being worried (melo) in situations he should have been worried about while he taught them not to worry (meri-) about the cares of this world. Peter now realized Jesus wasn’t worried (meri-) because God was concerned (melo) about his cares. So, Jesus rested comfortably in frightening situations or daily routines.

His rest, however, wasn’t the same as laziness or inattentiveness. He was sober and alert, praying all night or waiting to do God’s will. He even exhorted friends like Peter to stay sober and alert and pray to diverse the enemy’s temptations.

Setting aside worries because God cares doesn’t mean we stay lethargic, uncaring, and not pray. We stay sober, alert, and pray while leaving the worries aside and concerns in God’s care. That’s a fine balance. The Lord Jesus taught that by his examples. Was he hopeful that he wouldn’t have to die on the cross? Certainly – he prayed that that cup would pass. But after the prayer, he relaxed, knowing that the Father would ultimately give him victory and raise him from the dead.

The adversary, the devil, would look for worrying people to take advantage of them – “like a lion roaring and walking around looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet 4:8b). When people were calm, leaving the worries in God’s hand, even during trials, and staying sober and alert, he couldn’t have his way with them. He left defeated.

What Peter taught his people is so needed in our lives. I stay worried often and return to this verse repeatedly. I once saw a picture of two sparrows sitting on a tree and looking down at people walking around worrying. One said to the other, “I wonder why humans are always worried?” And the other said, “Perhaps they don’t have a heavenly Father like we do.” I always think of that imagery and tell myself not to worry but to stay sober, alert, and pray.