Why "Seek Him First" ?

This is what discipline means. Writing when I don't feel like it writing. But it's Sunday night and a day I have decided will be devoted to creating new posts, whether I'm inspired or feel like it or not. I know exactly what I want to write, but am now fighting fatigue at 10:25 p.m. The goal will be to make this short and to the point. I give myself half an hour.

I experimented with a new church this morning. I attended University Christian Fellowship at 9:45. Yikes! I was so unimpressed with that atmosphere that when the service was over, I realized I had just enough time to make it to Westview for the 11:00 service. Yeah, two services in one morning. I had not planned on that, but am glad I did. I'm not going into detail about why I didn't like UFC because I don't want to be negative.

The primary theme of pastor's sermon at Westview was money, but what I walked away with is a different way of thinking about the verse "seek first the kingdom of God . . . ." I understand that it has to do with re-arranging priorities to make sure that God's interests are met first. It sounds reasonable enough in theory, but in practice? Pastor pointed out that one could take two months just to meditate on the first two words of that passage: "seek first." So here I am, taking "Post one" to meditate on two words. It could take me two months just to figure how to re-arrange my priorities or lifestyle to make sure that God's interests are met first.

I think it warns against the dangers of trying to find contentment and satisfaction without God. Whatever you think you want in life, such as financial security, good health, good relationships, better relationship with you spouse, or having a spouse, consult with God first before pursuing those things. Like asking permission? Doesn't God already know what we want?

Maybe it means believing he knows the best plan or path or strategy for obaining these things. Again, the troublesome image always comes to my mind of God as deliberately withholding from me the very thing he knows I desperately want. That's my greatest fear.

Maybe the verse is implying that there is a process involved in when we seek or consult with God first about our plans. Through the process of consulting him first, maybe we learn something or grow in a way we otherwise wouldn't have. Maybe this process prepares us to receive that other stuff (or blessings) we think we want. "seek first" also suggests there's a proper order. I don't know.

I was going to give other examples of how difficult it can be to "seek first" but I'm stopping now because it's 10:52 and I promised myself I would be done by 11:00 and I'm almost brain dead and I need to be bright eyed and bushy tailed by 8:15 tomorrow. Ouch. Maybe I'll continue this theme in another posting.

Good night.