Pursuits

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

We live in an overexposed society. As we watch the events of the presidential election unfold, celebrities crash and burn and everything that man consider as “sacred” crumble, it is a wake-up call to Believers and non believers alike to turn our hearts back to God.

This weekend God spoke so clearly to my Spirit about the vanity and meaninglessness of life – that is life outside of Him. Our American society almost seemed like a controlled study for this point. Americans have so many frivolous pursuits – we want cars, homes, power, popularity, status, knowledge, respect and the “latest and greatest” of whatever. Not realizing that there is nothing new under the sun, the things that we desire so desperately today were also pursued by our biblical forefathers.  

For some reason, God has me studying the man Solomon who was the wisest man to every live. Ecclesiastes ruminates on the meaninglessness of life which is a book written by Solomon. This is a man that was not only wise, but was also endowed with great wealth. If you recall that God was so pleased with Solomon request for wisdom that He bestowed upon Him riches as well. Solomon was a man that according to his own words denied himself nothing.  We can learn a lot from Solomon.

Our opening passage tells us to seek first – not in conjunction with, but first his [God’s]  kingdom and his [God’s] righteousness.  As I meditated on the words of Solomon, God revealed that it is not “things” that we really desire but the perceived sense of peace or happiness that we believe they will bring.  In essence, true contentment is what we are after. Contentment moves beyond happiness  - happiness depends on happenings.  It is driven by external forces. However, contentment is based on an internal disposition that is independent of external events or influences.

So we are encouraged to not pursue the “things” of life because they will never bring us the true contentment that we desire.  I believe, from my personal observations, that there is a direct correlation between a persons’ external pursuits and deprivation of soul. Recall the scripture that says What good will it be for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul (Matthew 16:26). The  “things” that we seek will never bring us the peace that we are truly after. God will never endorse or “bless”  us replacing Him as the Creator with the created things – and we are all guilty of this from time to time.  

Be encouraged today to seek first God and allow Him to add everything for life and godliness to you in His time.  

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society