Regular Joe's

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6:33

“First things First” I have heard this more times than I can count and said it more times than I remember.  Usually, when I say it, I am putting something I want right now in first place.  I’ve said it when it came time to choose between eating and working on a project.  (food won)  I’ve said it when it came time to watching TV or reading an important book.  (TV won)

When I was 15 I was handed a strip of paper that had words typed on it.  It was handed to my by Ernie Pierson.  Everyone in the church called him Grandpa Pierson. His habit was to hand me a strip of paper about every 6 weeks with a verse, a quote or just a note to say he believed in me.  On this day, the paper had a quote with a scripture reference.

“Our priorities are shown in how we actually live not in how we say we live.”  Matthew 6:33

What a true statement!  I live out my priorities long before I speak them.  What I do points to my core values much more than what I say.  In one sense, “first things first” is how I already live.  Living out my priorities happens easily, living right priorities… now that is another story.

Look again at the verse above.  In it we are told our task is to “seek first HIS kingdom…”  Honestly, this is one of my daily adjustments.  I have this kingdom I am very loyal to.  I love the king, I think about him all day long and I am concerned for his wishes and seek after his desires.  I am very loyal to this king and his kingdom.  You could say that my priorities are a direct reflection of this loyalty.  You might have heard of this King, his name is Leonard Edward Lee the First.  His kingdom?  It goes by the same name.

When Jesus was on earth He spoke about the kingdom of God over 100 times.  Much of His teaching was about living out the priorities of His kingdom on a daily basis.  The Kingdom of God is the place where God’s priorities are first, where Jesus the King reigns.

For me getting the “right” priorities in place is about these two kingdoms in conflict.  It is about these two kings in conflict.   The reality is that one of the kings really isn’t.  He just acts like it.  How do I know?  Because I am that king!

God’s kingdom is not about getting “first things first”  but about getting ”right things first.”  If I seek first His kingdom, I am seeking to live a life where His rules and authority are the operating system.  I am seeking to live a life where “First things first” changes to “Right things first.”

Here is what hijacks this process for me.  Other things.  The daily ebb and flow of things.  Getting, having, hanging on to, protecting and acquiring more things.  This is actually the context for Jesus words.  His instruction is this… Instead of “first things first and building your kingdom” live “right things first and build my kingdom.”   Jesus’s kingdom promise is that when we do, He will add to our lives all we need.  So what will it be today, “first things first” or “right things first?”

Random Act of Kindness: Today, serve others.  Get their coffee, soda, water…  find a way to put others first.