Scripture I'm Reflecting on: Matthew 6:33
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need."
Matthew 6:25-34 has become something I am finding myself reading quite frequently, as I still...despite reading and even writing on some of these verses...cant break the habit of worrying about things that I should just trust in God to work out. I began reading these versus again just now to reiterate the message, but tonight the Lord put a new spin on this particular verse for me, and made me remember something that happened long ago that I'm certain I wouldn't have remembered otherwise.
Reflection:
I believe I was a sophomore or junior in college when we were given an exercise in one of my classes (business ethics I think, although maybe wrong and either way, not relevant to the story). The exercise basically listed 6 items, and we were supposed to rank them in their order of importance in our lives (I cant remember what the point of this was if you were wondering why this was going on in a college class). I don't remember the exact order I put down, or even all of the exact items, but I believe my list went something like this: 1) Family 2) Health 3) Career 4) Friends 5) Money. While I'm not positive on whether this was the exact order I ranked them (or if these were even the exact choices), I remember with 100% certainty what I listed next.
6) God (last)
Not only did I put this as my answer, but I remember almost laughing at the idea that God would be on the list to put ahead of family, ahead of health, even ahead of career. It didn't make sense to me.
It does now.
This exercise was from 5 minutes of a class I couldn't have cared less about, that I took probably about 8 years ago. I shouldn't remember this. Yet, God has given me remarkable clarity in remembering this event tonight as I read through this verse. And with good reason. It reminds me just how true this verse is.
I write all of this on here to say that as someone who lived on the complete opposite end of this verse for many years, not only is this phrase true, that in "seeking the Kingdom...He will give you everything you need: but that if you do not do this, you will always have a void in your life. At the time I was referring to in college, I really was living a worry free lifestyle. I was in college doing well, I had a good job that I enjoyed, I had more friends than I've ever had, and I never was without something to do, without some event to go to, party to attend, without friends to hang out with. I was in great health, and I had some promising internships and career connections lined up. Everything was golden with my family. Basically, the top 5 items on my list were rock solid. But in reflection looking back, there was definitely something missing. I could never figure it out at the time, but I remember that I was never really that happy. I tried to make myself believe I was. I tried to make myself believe that things couldn't be better. I tried to make myself believe that the party last night was one of the best times ever. I distinctly remember the feelings of getting home on Saturday nights after what seemed like a fun night with friends...feeling like something was lacking, missing, vacant. That something, was spiritual. That something, was God.
I say all that not to pat myself on the back for changing my ways, or trying to show off my once "semi-cool" lifestyle. I say that simply as testimony for anyone who might either be in the same boat I was, or to someone who has been diligent through their life in seeking God, but that wonders if it's really worth it. Trust me, it is. You're not missing out on anything. I've been on the "seeking God" boat, and the "not seeking God" boat, and they are not comparable. The former is a yacht, the latter is a pool float with a hole at the bottom.
I certainly do not have the confidence in my future career now that I had back then. I couldn't tell you the last time I went to a party. When adding up all the comparisons, I should've been a ga-billion times happier 8 years ago then I am now. But I'm not. Not even close. And that is only because of one reason, because that list of 6 items, has changed. It now reads 1) God. The rest of the list really doesn't matter. This alone has led to a feeling of true happiness. I wake up in the morning now, regardless of whether I did something "cool" the night before or whether I sat alone in my room, truly happy. Yea often I'm stressed about school, yea often I'm stressed about personal stuff not going to plan, yea often I'm worried about something I have to do that day. But deep down, I'm happy. Happier than any morning I had before I found God. Happy because I know God is on my side, giving me what I really need.
Maybe this story speaks to you, probably for many it will not. But regardless of whether my personal story speaks to you, this verse most certainly should. Who wants "everything they need?" Well if you answered yes, here's your answer on how to obtain it. Seek God and live righteously. Seems like a pretty fair deal to me.
Final Thought:
Don't confuse "everything you need" with some sort of Christmas list. As much as I'd love to read this phrase to think that in seeking God, He will provide me with the improved golf swing I "need", this is certainly not the case. God knows what we truly need, and it is not in our power to try and dictate this. We just need to Trust that he is right, which shouldn't be that hard of a concept.
Think about what you really need in your life right now. I catch myself all the time thinking I need more money, more "clout" at school, more time to get stuff done. But what I really need is more Trust. The next time you find yourself wishing for something you think you need, try and change this thought by seeking God and thanking him for what you have.
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