What are you seeking?
What do we tell little kids to do when they’re about to blow out the candles on their birthday cake? Close your eyes and make a wish. When I was a child, I remember people always saying, “Whenever you see the time 11:11, you should make a wish.” In those moments of wishing, what did you wish for?
How often do we fall into the trap of wishing today? We usually wish for all the nice things this world has to offer. But I wonder—have any of us ever had to wish for our next meal or clothes to wear? That was likely a common wish for people during the time when Jesus preached His “Sermon on the Mount.”
In Matthew 6:31, Jesus said, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” Jesus was addressing a concern that most of us in this country don’t fully understand because we’ve been so blessed. Yet, we still develop anxiety—just about different things. Instead of asking about food or clothing, our questions tend to be: “What will my income be?” “How do I look?” or “When will I be able to retire?” These questions often lead us to the same kind of wishful thinking that consumed the Gentiles.
In Matthew 6:32, Jesus said, “For the Gentiles seek after all these things….” The word “seek” here carries the meaning of “to wish for.” The Gentiles were anxious because they didn’t know where their next meal, drink, or set of clothes would come from. Their anxiety fueled their wishes. The same is true for us—our anxiety builds when we don’t know how much money we’ll make, how we measure up to others, or when we’ll finally be able to retire. But I love what Jesus does next.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” In other words, Jesus is saying, “Stop worrying about all of that and instead desire God and His righteousness.” His promise is that God will provide.
Does this mean we’ll become millionaires, be the most attractive person, or retire yesterday? No. But it does mean we’ll worry less about those things and desire God and His will for our lives instead. When we trust Him, we find peace in knowing He is our ultimate provider.
Today, I want to encourage you to seek God’s righteousness and pray for the ability to focus on His will for your life.
— Matt Jones