...seek first the Kingdom of God...

22 Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom'” Luke 12:22-32.

This is such a beloved and helpful text. I always remember my years living next door to the western gate into the Serengeti. The spectacle of tens of thousands of animals helped me reflect on the ways in which God has implanted a sense of how to be, how to live, how to play even, even within these creatures which roamed these savannah plains for centuries. Jesus assures us that these animals are not nearly as highly valued as ourselves. Today’s text is an invitation to learn, in prayer, that God the creator has formed us to live and move and have our being within his world, and of trusting Him in everything. Today’s text is an invitation to learn, in other words, the gentle but powerful secrets of God’s kingdom.

We are most truly ourselves when we are most truly living under the sovereign rule of God. “Search first for God’s kingdom!” Ask God in prayer how you can be part of that great purpose of the new creation He gave us on the cross and in the empty tomb! He will be only too pleased to show you.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,

have mercy on me a sinner.

“But strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness, 

and all these things will be given to you as well” Matthew 6:33.

“How much more value are you than the birds” Luke 12:24! 

“How much more will he clothe you—you of little faith” Luke 12:28! 

Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure 

to give you the kingdom’” Luke 12:32!