Main Scripture:
Matthew 6:33 (NIV) "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
In our verse for today, Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. This means that our relationship with God should be our top priority, above all other concerns and obligations. But how can we practically apply this teaching to our daily lives?
The first step is recognising that making time for God is a choice. It's easy to say that we're too busy for prayer, Bible study, or worship, but the truth is that we make time for the things that are truly important to us. If we want to prioritise our faith, we must intentionally carve out time in our schedules for God.
One strategy for doing this is to start small. Instead of trying to add an hour of prayer or Bible study to our daily routine, we can begin by setting aside just 10 or 15 minutes each day for spiritual practice. This might mean waking up a few minutes earlier to read a devotional, or taking a short break during the workday to pray.
Another helpful approach is to use our existing routines as opportunities for spiritual growth. For example, we can listen to worship music during our commute or pray while we're doing household chores. By integrating our faith into our daily lives in this way, we can ensure that our relationship with God is always at the forefront of our minds.
Of course, making time for God also means saying no to other things. We may need to cut back on social commitments, delegate tasks at work, or prioritise self-care in order to make room for spiritual practice. But as we do so, we can trust that God will provide for us in every area of our lives, just as Jesus promised in Matthew 6:33.
Ultimately, prioritising our faith requires a shift in perspective. We must recognise that our time and energy are gifts from God and that the best way to use those gifts is to invest them in our relationship with him. When we do so, we'll experience the joy, peace, and fulfilment that come from living a life of purpose and meaning.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of time and for the opportunity to invest it in our relationship with you. Help us to prioritise our faith in a busy world and to make time for prayer, Bible study, worship, and spiritual practice. Give us the wisdom and discernment to say no to other things when necessary and the faith to trust that you will provide for us in every area of our lives. We love you, Lord, and we thank you for your unfailing love, grace, and mercy. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.