Seek First

But seek first the kingdom of God… Matthew 6:33

What’s the first thing you do each day? For me, it’s making the bed. I haven’t always been a bed-maker. A few years ago, my mentor sent me some words by Admiral William McRaven. It encouraged me to start making my bed every day, and it’s been an easy and rewarding habit to incorporate into my life. It literally takes less than a minute, and then my bed (and, therefore, my bedroom) looks nice every time I walk in.

Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project (disclaimer: I haven’t read it), says, “Your bed is a symbol of you. There’s something about having your bed feel orderly that makes your life feel that way.”

About a week ago, I was having a rough morning. I was awake earlier than normal with my mind racing about things I needed to do and things I wasn’t doing that I should be. Since I was up earlier than normal, I decided to start my Jesus time earlier too.

I opened my Bible to the scripture I’d been led to the day before as I wrote "I can do it myself". Funny enough, grace had not been the topic I was going to write about that day. I’d started to write something along the lines of “Are you giving your all to God, or just a part of yourself?” But as I wrote, something else poured out, and I found myself writing about God’s grace.

So on that rough morning, I decided I would just continue reading from the verse I’d been reading (Hebrews 4:16), hoping that God would give me a word of encouragement for the day. I read the page and moved on to the next where there was a prayer written out. (I was reading this Bible, which has devotions and prayers scattered throughout.) It was for “When I don’t feel good enough.” I read the words aloud, feeling every single one, and spoke truth over my life that when I don’t feel good enough, Jesus is good enough.

I checked to see which scriptures the prayer coordinated with… it was the verse I’d written about the day before. And I realized that I had to ask God for grace to help me once again. I didn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed. I came before Him boldly, knowing He had what I needed.

After asking Him for grace, I thanked him for giving me what I needed at the right moment, and thought about how it was so amazing that He’d given me the day before a word I needed for the next day. I felt a nudge in my spirit saying, “If you come to me first, I’ll give you what you need.”

So many days I wake up, make my bed, wash my face, then find myself doing a few tasks-- laundry, dishes, picking up the living room--before I speak to God. These aren’t bad things to do, as those tasks are what keep my home nice for my family. But many times those things lead to me doing other things and before I know it I’ve gotten my day started without God.

As I reflected on the words He gave me, I realized that He will give me what I need right now. It might be an encouraging word, a particular scripture, peace, or grace. But I also believe He was saying that He will also give me what I need for later today, too. Or He might give me something today that I’ll need tomorrow. He can help me in my current need, with my current situation, thoughts, and emotions, but He will also equip me with what I need to face the rest of today, and face tomorrow and the rest of this week.

But He can’t give me what I need for the rest of today if I don’t come to him this morning.

I’m still going to make the bed as soon as I get out every morning, starting my day with an accomplishment. But I know that making my bed won’t make my life feel near as “orderly” as that morning time with Jesus.

I’m giving God my mornings. My “first thing.” So yes, first thing I’ll still make the bed and wash my face, and probably sometimes grab breakfast or start the laundry, but I’m not going to start my day without Him. Because I need Him today and tomorrow and every day for the rest of my life.