A Test Of First Pursuits

A Test of First Pursuits

Read: Matthew 6:25-34

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33

“I will place no value on anything I have unless it is in relationship to the kingdom of God.”

—David Livingstone

IN WORD The call of God is all about seeking. Jesus constantly calls His disciples to set their hearts on Him, denying the supremacy of any other loves and declaring His alone. Self must die, possessions must be left, kingdoms must be chosen. It’s not about becoming ascetic or fanatical, it’s about the direction of the heart. Which way does it point?

History’s landscape is littered with the empty relics of those who wholeheartedly pursued some this-worldly or false-worldly goal, only to come to an agonizing dead end. Many of their goals are easily recognizable to us—like money, power, and pleasure. Many are more subtle—like legalism, insincere worship, and lukewarm living. In any case, failure lies in wrong choices. And wrong choices are the result of hearts pointed in the wrong direction.

Most of us who believe in Jesus are intent on seeking first the kingdom of God. At the same time, we find ourselves awfully preoccupied with other things. We want our hearts to be directed rightly, but there are competing interests involved. Some of them are good; none of them are worth elevating higher than Jesus. But in the confusion of competing calls, how can we be sure His kingdom is our first pursuit?

IN DEED Try this diagnostic test: Make a mental note of what occupies your thoughts. Your checkbook and your schedule may indicate your priorities well, but a better indication is what you think about. What fills your mind when you lie down to sleep at night? when you wake up in the morning? when you find yourself daydreaming in the middle of the day? If you detect a dominant pattern or a theme, know that this is where your heart lies.

Do this test and determine to make God preeminent in your affections. Be careful for what you seek first.