Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
All the kids were ready and anxiously awaiting the last week of June. I was ready with all the extra things I was bringing for our kiddos. Camp was right around the corner when I got the call on that Saturday that our session week had been canceled due to a Covid outbreak with their staff. I was completely devastated and had to relay the bad news to 42 other kiddos and sponsors who I knew would be just as disappointed. I think all of us lamented pretty heavily after hearing the news – I know I did.
But God has a plan. He always has a plan. Meeting with some of our youth leaders – the Urbina’s and Sanchez’s, we put our collective minds and resources together and within hours – we had formulated a plan to take the kiddos on a mission trip to Corpus to help out a needy church. They had suffered a huge loss with the horrible freeze in March and needed help painting and putting put back together their buildings after rebuilding/renovating. We also came up with a fun day at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and a short stop at the Riverwalk in San Antonio before coming home.
For our devotional time – I used the camp’s verse and theme of “Pursuit” – Matt 6:33 – about “seeking first the kingdom of God.” It seemed to fit perfectly with what we were pursuing in our mission/road trip.
In Matthew 6:33 – Jesus is saying rather than being like the pagans who are concerned about their physical needs, the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven should be concerned about and seek after the things of God.
Seek first His kingdom - He does not say seek for the kingdom, which is what Jesus would have said if He was addressing this command to unbelievers. He wasn’t saying to seek for the kingdom to get into it but instead He was speaking to those who are kingdom citizens to make the interests of God's kingdom their priority.
Our kiddos are “kingdom citizens” and I tasked them to ponder, "Is what I am going to say or do going to advance God's kingdom and glory?" I challenged all our kiddos to do just that during our 3-day trip – to make sure that what ever they said or did – would only help to advance God’s kingdom. I certainly saw evidence of that over and over again. Our kiddos were great with how they pitched in with serving that small Baptist church and helping them get their sanctuary and fellowship hall back to a usable condition. I saw them demonstrate it at Fiesta TX when they were waiting in the lines or walking around the park. I saw it on the bus as our group of kiddos bonded closer together as one body of Christ.
I can be a worrier and pretty anxious before a trip. I like to prep and get everything ready with little or no surprises when the trip starts. I operate better that way. So the second part of those two verses - 34“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself, really hit home for me. God was telling me to not be anxious about the little things. Not be anxious about them - the lower or little things, but seek the Kingdom in them.
What does that mean? Dress for the Kingdom of GOD. Eat for the Kingdom of GOD. Pursue behaviors that glorify God. What we all do on this trip, what we say, how we act - let it be to glorify God.
Trust all our worries and needs to the Father. God knows what is needed. God knows who’s heart needs healing, or whose life needs changing. God knows and cares. And so do I and all our parent/sponsors. So let’s glorify and honor God with what we say and do this week!
Prayer:
Thank you God for being the faithful loving God that you are all the time. Help me to see that even when I am feeling my lowest or disappointed about something in my life. Your love and grace conquers all! May everything I do this week glorify and honor You. In Jesus’ name – Amen!