We are all seeking something.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided.” (Matthew 6:33)
We seek after whatever is on our mind. If something is important to us our attention is captured, and our search continues until we attain or become disinterested. Being human we are prone to seek things that are earthy in their nature. A list too long to be mentioned. Being a new creation, called the children of God, we have been given a new mind. One that is capable of seeking things of a spiritual nature.
“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3)
Whatcha seeking with your new mind? Since nothing is impossible for God, He is sure to have all of your spiritual answers when you ask, seek and knock. (Matthew 7:7) A great question to start with is, “What does it mean to ‘seek His kingdom?'” It is not a particular place, it is God’s reign over all of creation which, for the time being, is experiencing rebellion. To seek His kingdom is to actively seek His reign in our life that is “hidden with Christ in God.”
It is not our hidden life that should captivate our seeking. It is with Christ in God. Being there I am sure it will always be amazing. We are told to first seek something else, “His righteousness.” That takes our mind and places it where it belongs, on Christ. Now this does not happen as much as one would think. Remember when the apostle Paul said, “that I may know Him”? (Philippians 3:10) He wasn’t just talking about learning a bunch of facts. His spiritual seeking was to know, through shared experience, his Lord and savior.
Knowing Jesus happens when we are seeking His righteous life to reign supreme in our hidden life. Sadly the time will come when the parable of the ten virgins will find it’s fulfillment. Some will hear Jesus say, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.”(Matthew 25:12) No shared experience! Their life was their own. His kingdom was not sought nor was His righteousness.
God long ago called out to His wayward people through the prophet Isaiah. “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7) Let us be like the apostle Paul who was turned away from his past thoughts and deeds and pressed “on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
Father, You were found by those who did not search for You. (Isaiah 65:1; Romans 10:20) We have found You because Jesus revealed You to us. (Matthew 11:27) We believe that You are, and that You reward those who seek You. (Hebrews 11:6) May Your kingdom come and Your will be done (Matthew 6:10) in our life that is hidden with Christ. Our reward is to know Jesus, Your Son, in whose name we pray. Thank You, Father for Your compassion and abundant pardon.
“Come to Me, who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
His Family Table 