Sunday Sermonettes #073
The Problem of Priorities
Why is seeking God first difficult? The issue is one of priorities. There are so many things that seek to be first in our lives. Our family. Our friends. Our hobbies. Our pleasures. Our worries and anxieties. And our distractions. Often, we also become addicted to sinful habits.
Jesus spoke about worry in particular. He said we are too worried about what we shall eat and what we shall wear.
Lesson from the Birds and the Lilies
He asked us to look at how God takes care of the birds of the air who do not toil for the food they eat. He asked us to look at how God has clothed the lilies of the field; the splendour of which is beyond the glory and riches of King Solomon.
Birds of the air and lilies of the field do not strive and labour for food or clothing. If God can take care of birds and lilies of the field; he can certainly take care of you; more valuable than all of them.
Even though birds fly for food, they don’t produce food. They just receive it. Their actions reflect trust in the heavenly Father’s care. The lilies neither toil (work outside of home) nor do they spin (mostly domestic work). Yet God clothes them with value, beauty, and dignity.
Therefore God is not just interested in your survival but that you live with esteem and worth.
Live In the Present
God will bless your hard work and give you opportunity to labour as you seek him first. The point is that God wants us to work hard and be faithful with it without worrying about what is going to happen tomorrow.
We should remember that Jesus taught us that God is our heavenly Father. He knows what we need before we ask him. Therefore be confident that God will take care of your needs.
And live in the present. Jesus is warning against borrowing tomorrow’s worries. That is anxiety God never intended us to bear. For worrying is like gravity pulling us down.
The Peace of God that Guards Your Heart
In other passages of the Bible, we see our God described as daily bearing our burdens. And also we are asked to cast our cares on God who will sustain us.
That doesn’t mean there won’t be difficulties and suffering in life. Often, God uses these seasons to teach us discipline. It shows that we are his children. And he is training us to fly high; far above our negative circumstances in life.
When you are finding it difficult to make both ends meet, St. Paul echoes Jesus’ teaching by encouraging us not to be anxious, but instead to present our requests before God with thanksgiving. Then, he says, God’s peace will stand guard over our hearts, even in the darkest situations of life.
What Happens When You Seek God First
Now what happens when you seek God first? Everything changes. Especially the lens through which you see the world. Many things that once held a tight grip on your heart will lose their power.You will start to delight in God and his love for you instead.
Maybe you are afraid to let go of many things in life. God will give you courage. Take the first step to put God first.
Take one small step today:
- A Morning Habit: Start your day by reading a small portion of the Bible.
- A Simple Prayer: Begin your morning with a three-word prayer: “Thank You Lord.”
- Ask this Question: Before making a choice, ask, “Does this decision please you, Lord?”
You might also like to read: A Short Meditation on the Precious Blood of Jesus
Bible references: Matthew 6:25–34 (a portion of the Sermon on the Mount). Key verses: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (verses 33 and 34).
Psalm 68:19, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 55:22, Hebrews 12:4–11 and Philippians 4:6, 7.https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:7365073712489902080?collapsed=1
Featured image courtesy: Photo by Baset Alhasan on Pexels
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