But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
Maybe it's just me, but the world seems to get busier and busier with each passing day. I feel pulled in so many different directions. Living under that kind of pressure is both trying and tiring. Even when I wish that things could be different - that life could be simpler - I can't seem to find a way to make that happen.
In making our own choices, we're attempting to establish the fact that we're in control. Surprisingly, though, we aren't necessarily coming to a place of greater control over our lives. Rather, we're often caught in a pattern that we truly don't like.
The very choices we make sometimes become our masters.
In making our own choices, we're attempting to establish the fact that we're in control. Surprisingly, though, we aren't necessarily coming to a place of greater control over our lives. Rather, we're often caught in a pattern that we truly don't like.
The very choices we make sometimes become our masters.
In truth, we know better. But all the things calling for our attention seem so good, so productive, so necessary. We pretend that life is going to be this chaotic for only a little while - but then years pass, and we wonder how it ever got so crazy.
Despite what we might think, this kind of pressure is not uniquely modern. Even the people in Jesus' day struggled with knowing how to determine priorities. Their questions were not all that different from ours: What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? How can we make sure that we can provide for our every need?
In response to those deep concerns, Jesus told people to make relationship with God the very first priority. He said that everything else - EVERYTHING else - was secondary to that. Jesus pointed to that peaceful place in life where our own activity ends and trust begins.
Why are we pulled in so many directions? Why are we doing so much? Why are we trying to please so many people? Why do we feel the need to experience everything the world has to offer?
It's probably not as necessary as we think it is. Rather, our choices are likely a lot more about how we see ourselves ("I'm valuable because I'm involved in a lot of things") or about what people think about us ("If I don't say yes, they won't like me"). Or maybe it's just a bad habit that we can't seem to break.
In any case, here's the bottom line. Most of us are busy - but not necessarily busy with the things that matter most. If we're saying no to a deeper relationship with God - if we're too busy to serve him - if we're too busy to serve other people - then maybe we need to have the courage to examine what it is that we're busy with. Being busy with all those "other things" can completely squeeze out God's kingdom and his righteousness.
Of course, we never intend for that to happen. But little by little, it does happen. And nothing could be sadder.
The choices that we make today and tomorrow and this week about how we will spend our time and energy are eternally significant. We would be wise to choose well.
Despite what we might think, this kind of pressure is not uniquely modern. Even the people in Jesus' day struggled with knowing how to determine priorities. Their questions were not all that different from ours: What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? How can we make sure that we can provide for our every need?
In response to those deep concerns, Jesus told people to make relationship with God the very first priority. He said that everything else - EVERYTHING else - was secondary to that. Jesus pointed to that peaceful place in life where our own activity ends and trust begins.
Why are we pulled in so many directions? Why are we doing so much? Why are we trying to please so many people? Why do we feel the need to experience everything the world has to offer?
It's probably not as necessary as we think it is. Rather, our choices are likely a lot more about how we see ourselves ("I'm valuable because I'm involved in a lot of things") or about what people think about us ("If I don't say yes, they won't like me"). Or maybe it's just a bad habit that we can't seem to break.
In any case, here's the bottom line. Most of us are busy - but not necessarily busy with the things that matter most. If we're saying no to a deeper relationship with God - if we're too busy to serve him - if we're too busy to serve other people - then maybe we need to have the courage to examine what it is that we're busy with. Being busy with all those "other things" can completely squeeze out God's kingdom and his righteousness.
Of course, we never intend for that to happen. But little by little, it does happen. And nothing could be sadder.
The choices that we make today and tomorrow and this week about how we will spend our time and energy are eternally significant. We would be wise to choose well.