“Seek first God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all you need will be provided to you.”
(Matthew 6:33)
It’s tempting to look at this verse like a secret key to unlocking a treasure chest. If we’ll say certain things and act a certain way, then all our wishes will be granted.
That’s not what Jesus is saying. In fact, it’s just the opposite.
In the text leading up to this, Jesus describes our human inclinations — the pursuit of material things and personal desires, as well as the anxiety and frustration it brings us.
We tend to spend most of our time worrying about these things, instead of focusing on God and intentionally pursuing that path. We allow our own wants and desires — food, drink, clothes, homes, cars, relationships, etc. — to take first place in our lives. We most often only turn to God, when we find we’re having difficulty obtaining the things we have planned for ourselves.
We put the cart before the horse. Jesus said clearly, if we will readjust our priorities, and put God and pursuing God’s plan at the forefront, then all those other things will fall into place, like magic.
Our skeptical nature immediately causes us to doubt that’s true. However, that’s why faith is so important.
Give it a try. Instead of praying that God will give you what you want, try praying that God will help you understand what it is God is calling you to do — then do that. If you do this sincerely and consistently, you will find in a very short time, those things you’ve been worrying over and trying to solve yourself will be suddenly and miraculously resolved.
But it takes practice and faith.
Photo by Nita from Pexels
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