I focus on God and his priorities for my life.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33
I still remember when Kelly and I began dating, and I started to believe she was “the one.” There was nothing else I could think about! My mind was transfixed upon her and our future together. All I wanted to do was spend time with her and get to know her better. Maybe you can remember a time like this when your whole world was singularly focused in one direction, for one purpose. It might have been when you were preparing to go to college or getting your home ready for your first baby. When we center our thoughts and attention on something to this degree, we’re said to be single-minded.
At Central Bible Church we define single-mindedness in the Christian’s life as being “focused on God and his priorities for my life.” This means that the primary orientation of my life is meant to be bent toward the purposes of God. For this to be possible I need to do two things. First, I need to understand from God’s Word what his desire is for my life. Second, I need to be willing to submit to God’s purposes and plan for me.
Understanding God’s Priorities
The Sermon on the Mount is the greatest sermon ever taught. In it, Jesus reveals his desire for his followers. In the high point of his sermon, Jesus calls upon us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). The kingdom of God is his reign in and through his people. At present, the kingdom is manifest on earth through Spirit-filled followers of Christ who serve as ambassadors of his reign through the gospel. To seek “first” his kingdom and righteousness is to direct our energies towards the purpose of extending the reign of God’s grace into the lives of others.
Seeking God’s kingdom is a rich and integrated occupation. We do this by carrying out our daily work in a way that honors the Lord (Colossians 3:23), by teaching our children to know and obey God’s Word (Ephesians 6:4), by showing kindness to neighbors and strangers (Mark 12:31), by opening our mouths with truth that can transform (2 Corinthians 6:7), by standing as advocates for the vulnerable (Proverbs 31:8-9), by sharing what we have with others (1 Timothy 6:17-19), and by setting our gaze on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). Jonathan Edwards once wrote, “The seeking of the kingdom of God is the chief business of the Christian life.”
Submitting to God’s Priorities
Now that we have a better understanding of God’s priorities for our lives, the question now is, “Are we willing to adjust our lives toward those purposes?” This is where the rubber meets the road. This is where faith is called to be put into action. Let me encourage you to ask several questions that might help you to have greater single-mindedness toward God and his priorities for your life:
- After I die, when I stand before God, what will I have wanted my life to be most focused upon?
- How am I presently seeking first God’s kingdom and his righteousness? Am
- What areas of my life—job, family, time, money—need the most redirection for me to be faithful to God’s purposes and plan for me?
PRAYER
Father, I truly want to have my mind, my heart, and my life to be set upon you. However, I need your help. I so easily get distracted by things that aren’t really that significant. I pray you would give me determination to be devoted first to you and your desire for people around me to know who Jesus is. May my single-mindedness to your kingdom purposes lead others to know you and worship you. Amen.