Who centers you?

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"But seek ( aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ( His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides." (Matthew 6:33, Amplified Version)

That verse seems simple: put God first and you will have everything you need. The verse IS simple, but that summary is shallow and simplistic.

Seeking His kingdom and righteousness is not simply putting Him first; it is actively surrendering to Him as the Center of your life and all your endeavors. It is being driven by the heart of God.

"All these things" is a reference to the previous verses, where Jesus describes people who stress over the basic necessities of life, like food and clothing. He will provide what you need, but not always in the ways you expect.

30 years ago today, I married my Sweetie. We prayed then that God would be the Center of our marriage. That has been our continued prayer. In about an hour and a half, we will get in the car and head out for me to preach at a church we've never been to. We will celebrate our 30th anniversary by worshiping The Lord and proclaiming His good news. Anniversaries and birthdays often fall on Sunday, and few of those in 30 years have not been first centered on worship and ministry.

God has supplied our needs, sometimes in ways that can ONLY be explained by God's provision. It has NOT been easy and simplistic. Sometimes it was, it seemed to us, at the last possible moment. Sometimes our faith was challenged. Always our God has supplied.

Our prayer for the next 30 is the same: be the Center of our marriage and our lives.

Question: What do you think is the biggest obstacle people face in seeking first His kingdom and righteousness?

Leave a comment below.  Our community would benefit from your input.

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JUST FOR FUN: This video relates to today's verse AND it was released the year I met my Sweetie (1981)