I am good at knowing what I need to do and what is best, but not as good at doing it. I know all the good things I should do, I write about it, and I talk about it. But actually doing it is much harder.
I know I need regular exercise and, while once a quarter is technically “regular”, it isn’t going to get the job done. I know I need to get into shape and, while “round” is technically a shape, that isn’t what I’m talking about. I know I should give more to help others, but I just want to buy this one more thing. I know the good that I ought to do, but don’t. Why is that? Why is it so hard?
I’ve written a lot about Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…”. The more I think about that, the more I begin to realize that this is the heart of Jesus’ teaching. Much of the rest of the New Testament is about how to seek God first. It is the answer to life. And all this time I thought it was “42”. As I read through the New Testament with Matthew 6:33 in mind, almost everything comes back to seek God first and His righteousness.
In my study through James, he writes often about words and actions. About being careful with what we say and that our lives, our actions, are a reflection of what we really believe. Jesus says it like this “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our “treasure” is a reflection of our faith. What do you “treasure”? For me, one of the things I struggle with is time. I never seem to have enough time to do the things I want to do. It is a struggle for me to give up my time. The funny thing is, the more time I give, the more time I seem to have for me. I think Jesus has something to say about that, too (Luke 6:38). When we work hard to get more of something or to hold on to something, we never seem to have enough.
In James 3:12-16, James, again, writes about our actions being a reflection of our true beliefs.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
James 3:12-16
This sounds a lot like “seek first the kingdom of God”.
Peace. We pray for peace. We have rallies and protests for peace. We desperately want peace in our lives, in our families, and in our world. But are we willing to live the life we need to get that peace? Until we are willing to seek God above all else and let that be evident in our actions and words; until we put aside our own selfishness and seek God first, we will continue to “find disorder and every evil practice.”
As you live out these next Six and a half Days, live your life with the Matthew 6:33 filter. Who’s kingdom am I building?
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
James 3: 17-18
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
