What are you seeking?
“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.” Luke 12:29-31
Sitting at a table filled to the rim with friends, we began talking about a new remedy on the market. A new fad that is a cure all for everything! It promises life changing benefits, in just two tablespoons a day!
I had never heard of this thing and frantically, I began to google it and look for where I could find it.
Maybe THIS is what I have been missing. Maybe THIS is the answer to all of my needs.
How many times have I been in this situation? Looking, always looking for something more. Something better. Something to improve my health and prolong my days.
As I opened my Bible this morning, these words of Jesus pierced my heart.
“and do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it. For the pagan runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
A commentary by David Guzak on this verse reads…
If you put God’s kingdom first, and do not think that your physical-well being is a worthy object to live your life for, you then may enjoy all these things. He promises heavenly treasure, rest in divine provision, and fulfillment of God’s highest purpose for man — fellowship with Him, and being part of His kingdom.
Convicting to say the least.
You can open my pantry and see countless things, foods, vitamins, powders…all the things I have sought after to improve my life.
It can become an idol.
Many times, in my own life, it has become an idol.
There, I said it.
Do not get me wrong, I am not saying we should just eat and drink whatever we want and live a life of glutton and ignorance.
However, the foods we eat, and the lengths we go to for “perfect” health can become an addiction.
We become addicted to learning about the next new thing. We become addicted to wanting to be in the know of every new and promising health-prolonging item on the market.
Jesus tells us…we have it all backwards. Per usual, His Kingdom is upside down from ours.
Jesus tells us to seek HIM first, above all else.
Then, these things will be given to us.
Our priorities must shift.
When He becomes our priority, when Kingdom seeking becomes the thing that gets us out of bed each morning…
We can enjoy the benefits of the things He will add into our lives as a direct result of seeking Him first.
Just turn on the news, or scroll social media, and you will be bombarded with health ads. Ads to make us better, prettier, younger, stronger….
All of these things are not bad.
However, they are also not what is best and most excellent for us to be seeking primarily.
I remember years ago, a sweet friend of mine told me she had been so caught up in eating healthy, organic, and natural food that it had become exhausting!
She said “there is no way that I can ever keep up with all of this! it is just too much!”
She then told me, she sought the Lord and her Bible regarding this very situation.
She came across the scripture from l Timothy regarding food…
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving…” 1 Timothy 4:4
These words from God changed everything for her.
She began to give thanks and pray over every morsel she put in her mouth.
She asked God for wisdom and left it all in His hands.
Her obsession over food dwindled and she finally had freedom!
Friend, this world will always be waving a shiny new promise in our faces.
This world and the enemy is always trying to pull us away and distract us from seeking FIRST and above ALL the Kingdom of God.
Let’s ask God for wisdom in this area.
Let’s thank Him for everything we consume and tell Him we will not obsess about our physical health more than our spiritual health.
I often think of how Eve was tempted in the garden…
The enemy tempted her with food.
Hmmm.
He promised her all the benefits of long life and to be all knowing.
She fell for it.
Let us learn from Eve.
Let us be wise and fix our eyes on Jesus instead of the temptations of this world.
We can bank our lives on His Word. He will not let us down.
seeking Him first,
jill
