Don't you hate it when you are minding your own business and God convicts you about something? My friend, Dr. Tim Passmore, is pastor of Woodland--The Community Church in Bradenton, Florida. I was reading his new book, One Fry Short: A Journey Toward Self Discovery and Emotional Success, when God used his words to challenge me. Tim wrote, "There are many people who want to build God's kingdom. In fact, I believe that a vast majority of people who claim to be Christians want to build His kingdom. They want to advance His causes. The question is do they want to do it first. Many seek to build their own kingdoms first and then advance God's. Out of pride, they feel their life is more valuable when they receive acclaim for what they have. Out of fear, they may be afraid to let go of their possessions. Letting go would cause them to feel out of control. They may think it's safer to take care of their own kingdom first. That's not the instruction given to us by Jesus."
Ouch! Tim is right. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Now don't get me wrong. I do want to build God's Kingdom. I am a pastor after all--that's what I get paid to do! I must confess, however, that it is so easy for me to put my plans, my priorities, my pleasures, my pursuits, and my possessions first in life. Every day I struggle with putting God first in my time, in how I use my money, etc. But life does not get easier when I put myself ahead of God. In fact, life gets more difficult! I start worrying about "my" stuff. I get attached to it and do not want to lose it. I begin worrying about tomorrow. I lose faith in God's ability to take care of me. It is a miserable way to live.
I am asking God to help me trust Him more, to put His Kingdom first in my life, and to glorify Him above all else. I ask for your prayers, too.