Matthew 6:33
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
August often feels like standing on the edge of a diving board, ready to jump into something new.
School supplies pile up by the front door.
Calendars begin to fill.
Lunchboxes come out of storage.
Church programs begin again.
Vacations become memories.
Suddenly, everything is in motion.
In the midst of all this activity, Jesus quietly reminds us,
"Seek first."
Not seek perfection.
Not seek productivity.
Not seek everyone's approval.
Not seek a perfectly color-coded planner.
Simply,
Seek first.
I don't believe Jesus said those words to make us feel guilty if we forget our morning devotion or leave the house without praying. God knows our hearts and welcomes even our stumbling, imperfect attempts to seek Him. His grace holds us when we fall short, reminding us that we are always invited back—no matter how many times we have to begin again.
I think he said them because he understood how quickly our hearts can become crowded.
We spend so much energy seeking security.
Seeking success.
Seeking certainty.
Seeking control.
While none of these things are bad in themselves, they do not form strong foundations.
Because they shift.
Plans change.
People disappoint us.
Money comes and goes.
Our health changes.
Life is never completely predictable.
But the kingdom of God?
That remains.
Putting God first does not always look dramatic.
Sometimes it looks like whispering,
"Help me,"
before opening your email.
Sometimes it's noticing a sunrise before grabbing your phone.
Sometimes it's choosing kindness in a difficult conversation.
Sometimes it's remembering that the person in front of you is made in God's image.
Sometimes it's taking one slow breath and remembering you don't have to carry today by yourself.
Seeking God first is not about adding another task to your to-do list.
It is about remembering who is with you throughout your day.
As we enter another busy season, I hope we do more than just fill our calendars.
I hope we also fill our hearts
Here are some simple ways you can seek God first each day:
- Take a quiet moment when you wake up to whisper a short prayer, simply inviting God into your day.
- Pause before breakfast or as you pack lunches to name one thing you are grateful for.
- Before checking your phone or email, take a deep breath and ask God for wisdom and guidance.
- Write down a verse or encouragement somewhere you'll see it as a reminder of God's presence.
These small, daily practices can help anchor your heart in what matters most, no matter how busy your day becomes.
The wonderful thing about Jesus' invitation is that it does not start with striving.
It starts by turning our attention to the One who has always been seeking us.
An Almost Prayer
God,
There are so many things asking for my attention today.
Before I give my heart to worry...
Before I rush ahead...
Before I try to hold everything together...
Help me seek you first.
Remind me that your presence is more valuable than my productivity, and your peace is greater than my plans.
Walk with me through the ordinary moments of today.
Amen.
Reflection
What have you been seeking lately?
And what might change if, before anything else tomorrow morning, you paused and whispered,
"God, help me seek you first."