How many Bible verses do you know? There seem to be a few that are very popular. They are often called the ‘Fridge magnet verses, or the ‘Bumper car verses’. Those verses that offer an instant reminder of the bigger picture, or the presence of God in our lives. Maybe you’ve seen a verse on a wall as you move around school. Why not spend a little bit of time this week considering the verse in it’s context? Find the passage using the reference and read around it. If you have any insights or comments, please let me know.
“Seek first the kingdom of God” is one of those verses. It is a great reminder of the priorities we can often set that become a distraction to God’s plan for our lives. Taken as a stand-alone verse, it can be held up to anything we do that might not be in God’s will. But, there is a but! When a verse starts with BUT, it would be wrong not to consider the other side.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Seeking first the kingdom of God is Jesus’ antidote to worry. Worry was a problem then and it’s a problem now. As we look to the example and teachings of Jesus, we realise that when God became man, he became aware of the limitations and the desires of the flesh. Jesus needed rest. Jesus needed food. Jesus formed relationships. Jesus was let down. Jesus was punished unjustly. The next time you find worry rising in your life, remember the example and words of Jesus and ask Him, “How can I seek first your kingdom?”
