It’s so easy to get in a routine and forget that faith still pleases God. For example, I recently woke up early to write my blog but accidentally dozed back off for 45 minutes. Although the extra rest was nice, the problem was my schedule wasn’t going to be very lenient and I lost some valuable time. But in my older years, I’ve learned it’s never good to rush. So with coffee in hand and my computer across the room, I prayed.
Most authors write in advance, meaning they prepare an article, let it stew a bit, proof it, revisit and rewrite it, days (or more) before publishing. I’ve never done that with my blog. It started years ago when I probably hit what the world calls “writer’s block” except I wasn’t worried about it. Instead, I simply asked God, “What do You want to say today?”
This became our routine (and honestly I loved it). I couldn’t wait to find out what HE wanted to say–even to me. But remember what I said earlier:
It’s so easy to get in a routine and forget that faith still pleases God.
So this morning, with my computer across the room, refusing to feel rushed and purposed to be in faith, I paused and asked God, “What do You want to say today?” I was ready to push my blog back a couple of hours if necessary when all of a sudden, in my spirit, I heard, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). That’s right Father, my heart whispered.
Once again, God proved Himself faithful because I paused to ask.
SEEK FIRST God…
When the baby is sick, why do we go to the doctor to get the diagnosis and THEN PRAY?
When money is tight, why do we talk, discuss, fret, and THEN PRAY?
When a decision needs to be made, why do we look at plan A, B, and C, and THEN PRAY?
The Amplified Bible says, “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and THEN all these things together will be given you besides.”
We’ve had it backwards. It was only by learning this lesson a long time ago that I intentionally put my computer across the room this morning and PRAYED FIRST. God is faithful. As the Message Bible says in Matthew 7:7-11, there’s no reason to play around with God. “Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for a fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?”
Yes, of course.
So why do we seek God last? Simply because we forget to live and abide in faith FIRST. And secondly, I think it’s because we don’t trust ourselves to hear from God. Both take discipline to develop but I promise it’s worth it when you do!
God is faithful and He loves you. He cares about the things which concern you too. I hope you will find great encouragement from this simple reminder: Seek God first.
