Hello,
And welcome to this time of sacred rest and renewal.
Find yourself in a comfortable seated or lying down position for today's meditation.
Allow your body to settle as we begin with the word of God,
Matthew chapter 6 verse 33.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.
This is the word of the Lord.
With this word in mind,
Take a deep breath in and slowly release it out your mouth.
As you arrive in this moment,
Notice the places where your body meets the surface beneath you,
Your shoulders,
Your hips,
Your feet if you're sitting or your entire back if you're lying down.
You are held.
You are supported.
Breathe naturally.
And with each exhale,
Allow your body to soften just a little bit more.
Beloved,
You are beginning again,
A new year,
A new season,
Maybe even a new week.
Perhaps new goals,
New hopes and new responsibilities.
And if you're honest,
Maybe new anxieties too.
What are the things weighing on your heart right now?
Maybe the bills that need paying,
The relationships that need mending,
The projects that need completing or the body that needs healing,
The future that needs securing.
These are all real concerns and Jesus doesn't dismiss them.
He knows you need these things,
But today he's inviting you to something deeper.
Something first.
Seek first the kingdom of God.
Not seek only.
Not seek instead of attending to your responsibilities,
But seek first.
What would it mean to begin this year,
This week,
This new season,
This very day with the kingdom of God as your first priority?
Not your productivity,
Not your performance,
Not even your problems,
But the kingdom.
God's reign,
God's presence,
God's righteousness.
Take a deep breath and imagine what it would feel like to truly believe that when you seek God first,
Everything else finds its proper place.
Listen again to the promise and all these things will be added to you.
Added.
Not earned.
Not achieved through your striving.
Not secured through your worry.
Added.
As if God takes delight in providing for those who seek him first.
As if your seeking creates space for his generosity to flow.
Breathe into this truth,
Beloved.
God is faithful to provide.
Breathe out this burden.
I don't have to secure it all myself.
Let's try this a few more times.
As you inhale,
In the silence of your mind or out loud,
Say God is faithful.
Exhale and say,
I release my grip.
Inhale,
God is faithful.
Exhale,
I release my grip.
As you settle,
Let's try another round.
This time as you inhale,
In the silence of your mind or out loud,
Say this,
Inhale,
God provides.
As you exhale,
I soften my striving.
Inhale,
God provides.
Exhale,
I soften my striving.
Continue to breathe in this truth as your body settles a little bit more.
Allowing this truth to flow through every part of your being.
So what does it mean to seek first?
It might mean starting your morning in prayer before strolling your phone.
It might mean pausing to ask,
What does love require here?
Before reacting in that difficult conversation.
It might mean choosing worship over worry when the anxious thoughts come.
It might mean this very moment choosing to be still,
To listen,
To rest in God's presence instead of rushing to the next thing.
You see,
Seeking first doesn't mean neglecting your responsibilities.
It simply means rooting them in something deeper than your own strength.
Beloved,
You don't have to figure it all out today.
You don't have to have the perfect plan.
You don't have to be further along than you are.
But what God is inviting you to do is to seek.
To turn your face towards him.
To orient your heart towards his kingdom.
And when you do,
He adds what you need.
When you do,
You discover that you are not carrying this alone.
As we close this time together,
Let's practice a simple breath prayer.
A way of seeking first throughout your day.
As you breathe in,
Say aloud or in the silence of your mind,
Seek first.
As you exhale,
Say out loud or in the silence of your mind,
Your kingdom.
Inhale.
Seek first.
Exhale.
Your kingdom.
Inhale.
Seek first.
Exhale.
Your kingdom.
Inhale.
Seek first.
Exhale.
Your kingdom.
Now let's close out with a word of prayer.
May you begin this year,
This new day,
This week or new season knowing that you are deeply loved by God.
May you seek God's kingdom with confidence,
Trusting his faithful provision.
May you release what you cannot control and rest in the one who holds all things together.
In the name of the Father,
The Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
