What are we seeking?

These past few weeks, we have all been forced to stay indoors because of the COVID 19 pandemic. The lock down in some countries and the slow down of the global economy has taken its toll on various sectors like the petroleum sector, tourism and hospitality sector, the health sector, etc and these are economic impacts that produce a recession. Almost everything has either been postponed or cancelled, flights, tournaments, weddings, funerals, everything. 

It only tells me one thing ‘many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that will prevail’ Pro. 19:21. Since it is God’s purpose that will prevail is it not wise to seek the God whose purpose will always prevail before we make plans?, or if we make plans shouldn’t we ask the God whose purpose always prevails if the plan is okay with him?

What are we seeking first in our lives? What do we do first thing when we wake up in the morning? Do we seek social media first? Do we seek our children first? Do we seek our business first? Is God really first in our lives? When we get that paycheck, do we seek God first? No matter how much money we are chasing it can never be as enduring as that which seeking God first can give. Are we seeking him first in everything? This is the secret to enduring peace, joy, wealth and fulfillment in life. To seek the kingdom of God is to intentionally focus on building our relationship with God, seeking God’s kingdom does not mean we will not have challenging times like we have now, but it helps us to keep our focus on God and not worry about what tomorrow holds because we believe and have faith that He is in control.

As individuals we are always in a hurry, in a hurry to go out, in a hurry to make decisions, in a hurry to get rich, but it is God who gives us the power to get wealth, it is God who wakes us up in the morning, it is God who takes us out and brings us back home safely. Matthew 6; 33-34 Jesus says "So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God's kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.” TPT

Perhaps we have stopped seeking him first and now seek the unimportant things first. If we don’t seek God how can we fulfil our purpose in life? how can we experience life like he wants us to experience it? God wants us to seek him above all else because he knows that nothing compares to having a relationship with him, not cars, not money, or people. God desires a relationship with us and at a time like this, it is a good time for sober reflection.

How do we seek God First?

1.      
Repentance: Mark 1:15 His message was this: “At last the fulfilment of the age has come! It is time for the realm of God’s kingdom to be experienced in its fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the hope-filled gospel!.TPT .  To repent means to change our normal way of thinking, the renewing of our minds, and making a decision to live by every word of God.

Prayer: we must make time for intimacy and communion with God in prayer, talk to God like you are talking to your father, say it as it is no lies or pretence he knows it all anyway.

3.      
Studying of the Word: we must make out time to study the word of God by ourselves and not only depend on our Pastors or Spiritual leaders to teach us, when we spend time with him through studying his word our relationship with him deepens.

4.      
Thanksgiving: we must constantly give thanks to God. If we can thank friends, family, or acquaintances for pleasant experiences, we must thank God always the giver of life and all good things. This is the gateway to the presence of God Psalm 100:4. Thankfulness will always bring us to a place of joy and to a place of humility, when we express genuine gratitude to God we can never ever be depressed.

5.      
Praise and Worship; When we enter into His gates with thanksgiving, we then enter into his courts with praise Psalm 100:4. God gladly receives and inhabits our praise, and when we worship God, we have intimacy with God.

As we experience this period of lock-down globally, let us all stay at home, stay safe, and learn to look at the difficulties and challenges in a different light. Let’s step back and look at a bigger picture. A picture that involves a kingdom that will last forever.