A Kingdom Priority

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

I wonder sometimes how often we make seeking God’s kingdom a priority in life.  Do we make it a priority some of the time but not all of the time?  Or, do we simply wait until it comes to us like on Sundays?

How important is God’s Kingdom to us after all?
I don’t mean “Heaven” in the clouds, I mean here on earth.
Jesus even said, in reference to Himself as well as God’s presence, “…the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:21)  This means that God’s kingdom isn’t so much about a place far, far away, but rather a presence within and near us every moment of every day.

There’s a very interesting portion in the New Testament when Jesus does something rather peculiar.  This is after His death and resurrection.  He appears again before His disciples and breathes on them.  Now, picture this for a moment with me.  God’s Son who was present at the beginning of creation.  Who was there when human life first began.  Who may have been the very one to breathe life into creation, now does it again.  It’s recorded in this sort of obscure verse we sometimes neglect – John 20:22 “And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Think about that for a second.  A former dead guy, now gloriously resurrected (but not fully in human form anymore) breathes onto His disciples.  The One who was there at the very beginning giving and breathing life into Creation is now breathing new life into His disciples…and then He says “Receive the Holy Spirit“.

It seems to me that the Kingdom of Heaven isn’t some far off place, but a place that has been closer than we could ever imagine.  If we are to actively seek God’s kingdom here on earth and bring His Kingdom to others still lost in the world, then we have to make His Kingdom a priority in our lives EVERYDAY!

Seek first His Kingdom – and all these things will be added to our lives.
Jesus is still breathing life into His Church.
He wants us to be His and His alone.
We are called to bring His Kingdom to those without hope.
We are called to be His very hands and feet, His ambassadors into foreign sometimes hostile places.

Is His Kingdom a priority in your life today?
What can we do to make it a #1 priority in all that we do?

Build Your Kingdom Here

Prayer: 
Dear Lord, breathe new life into these lungs today.
Help us when we have neglected Your kingdom.
Guide us when we have lost our way.  Restore us today, O Lord.
Fill us with Your Holy Spirit again.  May we be Your people, Holy and true.
Remind us of what is most important in our busy lives.  May we earnestly seek you in all seasons of life.   -Amen.

Something more to ponder today – To God be the glory!