Seek First

Excited and full of energy, I raced around getting ready for a morning walk on the beach. Now, you should know that I am a force to be reckoned with when I have my mind set on something. Today was one of those full-speed-ahead kind of days. I was heading to the beach, but if we’re honest, I was going to the beach with an agenda. It was going to be anything but a lazy day on the sand. I was on a mission.   

Antsy to reach the beach, I plod down the overgrown, sandy trail with my chair slung recklessly over one shoulder and my beach bag on the other, all the while watching for any kind of crazy reptile that might slither along and catch me off guard.  

After getting my chair all set up in the coolness of what little shade there was, I determined all was set for me to proceed on task. Begin mission. I traipse up and down the shoreline poking through piles of shells for some of my treasured sea glass. And guess what I found? Nothing! I found nothing!

I had everything planned out, but this was not working out the way I envisioned. I was so happy and energetic about roaming the beach until things didn’t work out as I had imagined. Now, I was anything but happy. I was disappointed and deflated with sweat dripping in my eyes. I had cut my finger on a shell, I wasn’t anywhere near the coolness of the shade, and I had zero luck finding what I came for.

That’s when "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you," (Matthew 6:33) came into my head. What? What does this have to do with finding sea glass? As you can imagine, this only added to my frustration.  

Seek first the kingdom of God

But let me share my take on what was happening regarding the immediate situation: I was so focused on finding sea glass that I was missing all the other incredible beach debris; the little sharks eye shells, the cicada that was on the driftwood, the smell of salt in the air, and the gull flying overhead. All incredible wonders of creation.  

It took me a few minutes, but I finally pieced this together. I do this all the time! I look for God to act or respond in the way that I deem best (and I’m pretty stubborn), so, I persistently hang on to my own ideas and expectations of how things should work out. Guess what happens when I do this? I end up missing out on how He is responding and working at that very moment. I miss all the good stuff that God is showing me because I’m horribly focused on my own way.   

When I took some time to reflect on this, what I really noticed was that God was very gently telling me that it’s time to stop worrying about what I want and focus on what He wants. My focus needs to shift from my own expectations and desires to what God is doing and has planned. Ultimately this has to do with surrender. Surrendering my ambitions and agenda for what God has in mind. But in order to do that, I’m going to have to make some adjustments.  

It’s time to stop worrying about what I want and focus on what He wants.

For me, it means I’m going to have to learn contentment. Paul had to learn this too, so I’m not alone. "Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." (Philippians 4:11) With a heart of thanksgiving and gratitude, it is imperative that I learn to concentrate on what God has already done in my life instead of what I’m waiting for Him to do.

Think About It

What adjustments do you need to make to help you focus more on what God is doing rather than on what you want Him to do?

Does seeking His kingdom first change your expectations of how God might respond?

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In this blog, I hope you'll join me on my quiet adventures—simple walks and conversations with God, away from the hustle and bustle.

In the meantime, don't forget to check out Liz Trickey's blog, "God of My Depths," and Pearlene Richardson's blog, "Measurable Growth," for more insight into how nature reveals God's character in and to us.