Scripture: Matthew 6:33
Journal: What (or who) are you seeking first these days? What effect is that having on your life and
soul?
Reflection:
There is a designed order for all things,
particularly our affections. Simply put,
the things that have captured our hearts are the things that we will always
seek first. Therefore, it is of the
utmost importance in the life of faith that we regularly examine exactly what
those affections are. The best way to do
that is to ask ourselves what is getting the majority of our time and
energy. That will tell us what is really
going on in our hearts, and help us to recognize and determine if those things
that occupy first place in our lives and hearts are really worthy of
that position.
That’s what a significant
amount of Matthew 6 is all about, making sure we are pursuing affections that
are worthy of that pursuit. The created
order for those affections involves putting God first. If we can get that one down, then the others will
fall into place. But if we get our
affections out of order there will be chaos.
For anything that we are counting on to satisfy the deepest longings of
our souls, other than God himself, simply cannot accomplish what we seek. That’s why Jesus says to seek first his
kingdom and his righteousness and all of the other things will be added unto
you. It’s really not as complicated
as we make it.
Prayer
Closing
Prayer: O Jesus, who has taught us that not all those
who say Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but only such as do
the will of you Father, whose lives correspond with their belief, grant us a
truly Christian spirit, a Christina heart, and guide us in the paths of a
Christian life. Grant that I may become
detached from all things and in all things seek you alone. Grant that I may direct all my knowledge, my
whole capacity, all my happiness, and all my exertions, to please you, to love
you, and to obtain your love for time and eternity. Amen. (The Imitation of Christ by
Thomas A Kempis)
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