“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
(Matthew 6:33)
Red pill or blue pill? As a pastor, husband, and father of two growing kids, I often wish decisions only came with two options, like in The Matrix movie. Life is so much more complex. If you don’t believe me, ride with my family on Sunday after church to see how complicated it is for us to choose a restaurant! I admit I overthink things occasionally. When I’m presented with too many options, I can become paralyzed with indecision. That’s not a good quality to possess. I can’t be the only one, right? Right?
Since I know my tendency to over-analyze, I’ve tried to simplify my decision-making process. In short, it’s ninety or nothing. If I’m presented with a choice, and I’m not at least 90% sure I should give it my attention, then I move to another option.
What about all the “good things” you’ll miss? There are things this approach will certainly eliminate, but it clears the way for “God things.” We’re not called to do everything that is presented to us, but we are called to do many things. We must discern the difference.
How can we know the difference? In Matthew 6:25-33, Jesus presented a list of good things to seek, like drink, food, and clothing. No one denies the importance of these things. They’re essential. But they’re not eternal. Jesus commands us to “seek first” the eternal things of God. Seeking God’s kingdom first is a simple choice that you can be 100% confident in because it’s always right. If you use seeking the kingdom of God as a filter, you will limit your choices and make better decisions. Remember, it’s ninety or nothing!
Kevin W. Bounds 