"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33
Lately God has been teaching me that every aspect of life in Him requires surrender on my part. When it comes to abundant life we can only choose one of two paths: His way or the way of the world. And only one path leads to the fulfillment of our true desires. Only one path leads to true, lasting abundance.
I love the way The Message phrases Matthew 6:33, "Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." I think in his paraphrase Eugene Peterson gets to the heart of Jesus' teaching. How do you and I seek first God's kingdom? How do we position ourselves to receive God's promised, perfect provision? Only by steeping ourselves in His reality, His pursuit of us and His provision for us. Only in soaking in the truth of God's word and the reality of His nearness will we be empowered to seek first that which is unseen, the very kingdom of our heavenly Father.
In God's love for me and my belief of that love, I found the courage I need to turn away from the world and enjoy the will of my Father. In experiencing the depths of God's mercy and grace I find surrender to be an immediately life-giving act that lifts off the weights of this world and yokes me to the perfect power and leadership of Jesus (Matthew 11:30).
Our heavenly Father says, "Seek me first." God knows how we were made. He knows that only in true, unhindered communion with Him will we live as He designed us. We weren't made to do life alone. And we sure weren't made to pursue the things of this world in His place. To seek Him first is to find our purpose, the very source of life.
What do you need to surrender today to find abundant life? What do you need to invite God into that you might live in constant communion with Him? How can you seek Him first today?
May we steep ourselves in the reality, initiative and promised provision of our heavenly Father this week.
