But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. –Matthew 6:33
In my experiences, I have found that most us often focus more on “all these things” being given to us than we do on “seeking the kingdom and His righteousness.” What do I mean? Answer the following questions: When you pray, do you seek His face and His presence more than you seek His provisions? When you delve into His word, do you read so that you might know Him better or do you do it because it is the Christian thing to do? Do you find yourself worrying more about what you want/need than who you are in Him?
In the spirit of transparency, I will share with you an excerpt from an entry in my journal.
“I noticed that I tend to focus so much on what I can do for the Lord and others that I tend to neglect who I am in Christ. It is so easy for me to speak to a crowd about Christ and spend hours in corporate worship and prayer, but when I get alone with Christ, I’m often either too tired or just not as passionate. I can cry out to God for hours in prayer and fasting when I need something, but when the need does not feel so urgent, prayer becomes just another thing to check off my to-do list. Do I use ‘good works’ as a distraction from the work that needs to happen in me? Am I truly seeking His kingdom or am I just putting on a show for the world to see? Am I pursuing the heart of Christ or am I only after His hand?”
Jesus in a discussion with His disciples said in Luke 12:11-12, “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at the time what you should say.” When I read this, I hear Him telling them again, don’t worry about “all these things,” just worry about who you are in me and loving me with all of your heart and mind and soul, and I will give you everything else that you need. I will give you the words to speak, opportunities to serve, etc.
So what exactly does it mean to seek first the kingdom and His righteousness? My Bible commentary describes the kingdom in this manner: “it is the reign of God that He brings about through Jesus Christ –i.e., the establishment of God’s rule in the hearts and lives of His people, the overcoming of all the forces of evil, the removal from the world of all the consequences of sin, and the creation of a new order of righteousness and peace.” Paul puts it in a more simplistic form in Romans 14:17, for the kingdom of God is not a matter or eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
How are you seeking the kingdom and His righteousness? My mentor once said to me, “Out of self leadership does effective ministry come.” Through my time in the Lord's presence, I have since expanded that quote to “an effective ministry/witness is one that flows out of a life that is filled with Jesus; one that is focused on seeking the kingdom and His righteousness. A ministry and good works are some of “all these things” that flow out of a life that is focused on the kingdom and His righteousness.”
Grace and peace be with you.
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