“Put God first and everything else will fall into place. Sounds nice, but in practice it usually means praying more, going to church, and reading the Bible. . . . When I hear people say they are ‘putting God first’ . . . it often means doing external, spiritual stuff without overhauling the larger system that forms our lives.”- Rich Villodas
“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”- Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Rich Villodas concludes Chapter 9 of The Narrow Path as he underscores what it means to seek God’s kingdom first. When we seek God’s kingdom first, our quest transforms — or at least puts into question — our entire value system.
As a result, one way Rich suggests seeking God’s kingdom involves identifying how we seek other kingdoms and strategies in pursuit of the good life. Hence, Rich counsels, we need to spend time in prayer. During your prayer time, ask the Holy Spirit to help you be on guard against the deforming influences of family and culture.
Above all, God’s presence guides and reassures us when we step back, pray, and communicate with each other. Rich explains:
“As we situate ourselves in God’s world and ways, worry no longer has a grip on our souls, and we begin to discern the gifts of God already at our disposal. With open hands, we find ourselves caught and carried by the strong and loving arms of the Father.”
In conclusion, in a flying trapeze act, the flyer does nothing. Instead, the catcher bears all the responsibility. Thus, the flyer must fly and the catcher must catch. Most significantly, the flyer must, with outstretched arms, place absolute trust that the catcher will be there to catch him.
Jesus tells us that the Father serves as our catcher. That His providing hands keep our life safe. But first, Rich stresses, we must let go of our worldly values that stand opposed to God’s kingdom.
Today’s question: What do you see as essential to putting God’s kingdom first? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Judging machines = human beings”