Do you ever find yourself so adamant about figuring out something specific that you get hung up on it to the point that you're focusing on that problem or situation or answer more than you're focusing on God himself? Even though you're talking to him about it, it's all about that thing you want to know instead of being about him. The whole point of your prayer or quiet time is about seeking an answer rather than drawing near to God. It's all about 'tell me, tell me, tell me, why aren't you telling me, I can't have peace without knowing this right now, tell me and then I'll rest in you' rather than 'God I trust you, you're awesome, help me draw closer to you because in you is all wisdom and knowledge and I know you'll lead me as long as I draw near to you, I can have peace because I know you're in control.'
Focusing on what we don't know leads to anxiousness, worry, stress, wasted time and energy, jealously of those who seem to have it all figured out, and bitterness with God for not doing things in the way we selfishly think he should. But God calls things such as these "earthly, unspiritual, and demonic" (James 3:15). Whether you believe in God or not, I believe everyone would agree that these things are undesirable. With these things in your heart, there is no way you can live joyously.
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else,
and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
- Matthew 6:33
Seek God, not just the answers. Yes, the text before this verse is speaking of our basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing, but it has a deeper meaning than that as well. It's about priorities. It's about trust. It's about living in God's presence and valuing that above all else. It's about how even seeking 'good' things can become a stumbling block if not done properly. Seeking God about your career path, about the next step in life, about who you should marry, about why he has you in a certain place, about why you're having a trial, or other such things is not bad, but it can become a hindrance to your relationship with God if receiving that answer is all that you're seeking. If you're placing your condition for joy on receiving that knowledge rather than taking joy in God himself, then you're not walking in the presence of God and you're going to drive yourself nuts.
"You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever."
- Psalm 16:11
"All who seek the LORD will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy."
- Psalm 22:26
True joy is in the presence of God. Fullness of joy is in him. Does this mean we'll never feel sad? No! Joy is more than an emotion. Happiness is an emotion; it's temporal and fleeting. Fullness of joy, God's joy, is deeper than that. It is what reigns in your heart and gives you peace even when things seem like they are crashing down around you. It becomes part of who you are. It defines who you are. It is ever present. It is the Holy Spirit living within you. It is the Comforter at work saying, 'You're Mine'. It is the presence of God. It isn't knowledge or understanding about everthing. It's knowing one thing:
"See, God has come to save me.
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The LORD GOD is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!"
- Isaiah 12:2-3
God has come to save us. Christ made a way. He bridged the gap. He gave us all access to the Holy of Holies - the presence of God. And he came at "just the right time" (Romans 5:6). If he came at just the right time to save us, why then should he slack on other things? Why would he not take care of the smaller things in life at just the right time? He saved our souls at just the right time. Everything else should be a piece of cake!
Let's look a little more at the context of Matthew 6:33:
"Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.
Why do you have so little faith? So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."
- Matthew 6:27-34
Jesus is saying here that as a believer there is no reason we should worry. And what is worry other than a lack of trust in God? Since God says he'll take care of our needs and he does things at just the right time, why then should we worry? Why then should we get caught up on needing to know answers? He will tell us at just the right time if we need to know. Sometimes it just isn't time yet. And sometimes we just don't need to know. Like Paul said:
"I pray that God, the source of hope,
will fill you completely with joy and peace
because you trust in him.
Then you will overflow with confident hope
through the power of the Holy Spirit."
- Romans 15:13
Because you trust in him. Because you seek him above all else. Joy and peace are yours. Confident hope is yours.
"The LORD directs our steps,
so why try to understand everything along the way?"
- Proverbs 20:24
The only thing we need to understand is that God is God. This doesn't mean don't ask questions. We are told to ask him for wisdom and understanding (James 1:5). It just means trust the Lord to take care of it by giving it to him instead of dwelling on uncertainties. Dwell on the certainty of God. Dwell in his presence. Feed off of his joy. Seek God above all else. Seek the Kingdom. And all these things shall be added unto you. At just the right time.
No comments:
Post a Comment