Growing up, I spent many summer nights playing hide and seek with my neighborhood friends. We would all gather around the light pole, someone would be deemed “it,” and we would scatter into the darkness to find our best hiding spot. After some time, you would either be caught, give up, or, if some were still at large, whoever was “it” would yell, “olly olly oxen free,” which signaled for those who were still hiding to come out into the open.
Jesus wraps up this section of the Sermon on the Mount in chapter 6 by encouraging us to shift our focus from our worries to seeking him and his kingdom. To seek FIRST his kingdom and righteousness. In other words, to seek the things of God over the things of the world. But what does it look like to seek?
This idea can seem like a mystery to many believers. Why do we have to seek him? Is he hiding? Is this some sort of game we play? Many times, I have wanted to cry “olly olly oxen free” so God would come out from hiding and make it easier for me to find him.
The word “seek” in verse 33 could also imply to endeavor, desire, inquire, or investigate. It’s not so much that God is hidden, but for us to seek and find, our full attention must be on him.
The second half of that verse is what trips me up most of the time: Seek first, then “all these things will be added.” We can so easily look to the adding before the seeking. We have our list of things we need, and then say, “OK, if I just seek God now, this list will be fulfilled.”
The goal is to not make the things that are added your focus. When we turn our attention from the King and his kingdom to the rewards, we lose the peace that comes from a life free of worry.
We will run into the word “seek” again tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Reflection:
- Heart check: Are you more focused on the added things than God’s kingdom?
- What does it look like for you to “seek first” the kingdom of God?
- How can you walk that out today?