Matthew 6:33 NLT
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
WOW… what a couple of months we’ve had.
The Covid-19 virus swept through and turned the world upside down. We’ve been told to stay in place, wear masks in public places (I’m still creeped out by this and think it’s funny when I see someone driving by themselves while wearing a mask.)
But people are getting restless. They want to get out and resume life as they have known it.
But what if it doesn’t go back to what we known?
We have people marching on state capitals demanding to be free to move around.
We have people who think we should “stay in place” longer, thinking that even one life lost to this virus is too many, but they believe that abortion is a right we should have. I find that interesting.
We have people who think that we should be free from every restriction that has been placed on us and that the numbers that are being pushed on us by the news outlets don’t seem to match the reality that they can see.
People are looking for answers, but none seem to be forthcoming. At least solutions that satisfy them.
Everybody is pointing fingers at the other and blaming, and resentment is forming in many hearts.
I am here today to say that we are in this mess because of the lack of proper focus.
Everyone is right, though, with regards to one thing.
The answer is not inside of us. It is outside of us.
But it isn’t dependent on another person living on this earth, even though we may think it is.
It’s not dependent on the President.
It’s not dependent on the Governor.
It’s not dependent on the senate or house of representatives.
It’s not dependent on our Pastors, priest, or the pope.
When we focus our attention and the need to answer from any of the above people, we will come up with precisely what we have now, no answers and confusion.
“Ok, John, if it is not the leaders that we have around us, then who should we be going to for answers?”
Great question!
The answer is the one thing that most don’t want to consider, but the answer is Jesus Christ.
This answer requires submission.
This answer requires us to lay down all of our prideful thinking.
But it is the only answer that will provide us with the answers we are looking for.
John 14:6 NLT
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
The verse I started this writing with was:
Matthew 6:33 NLT
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
We can’t have God without Jesus. So if we are seeking God without Jesus, we will end up empty every time. When we do this, we end up putting our expectations on others around us to live up to what we think they should be.
Ephesians 6:12 NLT
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
So, where should our focus be?
It should be on those around us. It should be on what we can do to serve those in our houses, our workplaces, our neighborhoods, and our churches.
“Yeah, but they don’t appreciate what I do for them?”
Matthew 7:12 NLT
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
There is no qualifier here. The golden rule has no conditions.
We’ve turned this upside down, but as proclaimed, practicing Christians, we need to get this one right.
We don’t do this for a reward. We do this because it is what Jesus has asked us to do.
But look at the promise: “live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Living this way is in our control if we make living for Jesus our primary focus.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise and Your provision.
And thank You for Your Spirit living in me. I pray that You keep my heart focused on Your Will and Your Word.
I pray that my life glorifies You in every way and that You continue to give me a heart of compassion and hope for those around me.
Thank You for sending Jesus to give us the example to live our lives like, but more important than that, for dying for our sins.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
