Do you ever find peace elusive, like a good night’s sleep? You search for it, you pray for it, but it seems to slip away…like sands through the hourglass…  We live in such a broken world, and we are all equally broken. Broken homes, broken hearts, broken promises…peace at times can seem like a fairytale, unattainable and dare I say, imaginary. But the truth of God holds firm when the mountains crumble and fall into the sea. And so, in the depth of my frustration and disappointment, I cling to His hope and His promise. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. All these things…what specifically are “these things” that Matthew is quoting Christ as he teaches?

In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus teaches us about charity, how to pray, how we must forgive, how to fast, how we should not hoard up riches for ourselves, and finally, how not to worry. That last one is especially difficult for me. I like to be in control. But, who of us, can say we have control of anything in our lives, honestly? And when I don’t have control, I worry. Christ says in Matthew 6:31-34, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ Or ‘What shall we drink?’ Or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly father knows that you need them. But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

I haven’t had to worry about what I was going to eat or what I was going to wear for many years. So, I have peace now? Nope! I am very capable of finding something new to worry about. Open your news app or turn on the television, and I can give you an endless list of things to worry about. Yet, as Christ said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself”. What is my solution? How do I turn my mind from scrolling through the list of “world ending” scenarios? “Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness” … I need to SEEK!

Jeremiah 29:13, “And you will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” “Baqash” is the Hebrew word for seek. It means to go after, chase down, search for, ask or consult. Psalm 9:10, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” We are to pursue Him and keep on pursuing without stopping. And in doing so, He will grant us His spirit of peace. After all, how can I worry or fret, if I spend all my time in pursuit of God and His righteousness?

I can hear you ask, “How am I supposed to spend all my time pursuing God?” God doesn’t expect us to quit our jobs, move out of our homes and spend every waking moment, pursuing him. But what he does desire is that our hearts are looking upward and not consumed by the worries of this world. How much time a day do I waste, scrolling through my social media feed? How much time a day do I devote to prayer? And even in prayer, how focused am I…or am I just reciting what I think God wants to hear?

My conclusion…to have peace, the true peace that only God Almighty, the Prince of Peace can provide, I must know Him better. And to know Him better, I must spend time with Him, talk with (not to) Him, and seek to know Him in a more personal and intimate way. And in doing so, when life kicks me in the gut, He will be at my side, encouraging me, teaching me, and helping me get back on my feet.