Hide and Seek
“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33 NIV
Some of my fondest childhood memories are of playing hide-and-seek with my friends. There was the thrill of the search and the anticipation of victory. We could play for hours looking behind bushes, crawling under beds, and searching through closets.
As adults, we can lose our zeal for the hunt even as the stakes are far higher. Many things are readily available to us—food delivery, ride shares, and even scripture—with a few keystrokes. Though convenient, the ease with which we acquire things can make us less likely to invest time and effort in anything that can’t be found in mere minutes.
Yet things of value must be sought after with diligence and effort. Diamonds, gold, and oil take inordinate amounts of time and manpower to unearth. It’s interesting that Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to hidden treasure. Like anything precious, it must be prioritized and pursued to be discovered.
Consider Mary and Martha, dear friends of Jesus. Martha worked herself into a fit to meet the hosting expectations she set. In contrast, Mary dismissed their chores to spend time with the Lord and listen to His teachings. Consequently, Martha became anxious about her duties and complained about Mary’s unwillingness to help. To Martha’s surprise, Jesus applauded Mary’s choice and confronted Martha for focusing on the wrong things.
The current worldview would have us work relentlessly to provide for ourselves and please people. But Jesus said, Seek the kingdom, and all the things we need will be given to us. Anxiety should not coerce us to work and worry. Instead, we gain more when we learn to receive God’s promises as we pursue His knowledge, wisdom, and direction for our lives.
Our efforts to sustain ourselves through works can find us outside of God’s will. This can lead to jobs we hate or to getting stuck in situations that prevent us from fulfilling our destiny. We will never discern the Lord’s purpose for our lives if we don’t prioritize our relationship with Him.
People can wait. Emails can wait. Notifications and texts can wait.
Who would you rather disappoint?
Like Mary, let’s choose wisely and dodge distractions. We can receive every good thing when we seek God first.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I’ve allowed the busyness of life, endless distractions, and the pursuit of earthly things to take priority over You. Help me develop a heart that seeks You with the same excitement, determination, and anticipation I once had as a child playing hide-and-seek. Teach me to be still in Your presence, trust Your promises, and pursue Your kingdom above my own ambitions. When worry whispers and distractions demand my attention, remind me that everything I truly need is found in You. Give me the wisdom to choose what matters most and the courage to put You first, even when the world tells me otherwise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Your Turn: Are you seeking God's kingdom first, or are life's distractions keeping you too busy to discover the treasures He has waiting for you? This week, take inventory of how you spend your time. Identify one distraction that's competing with your relationship with God and intentionally set it aside. Spend at least fifteen uninterrupted minutes each day reading Scripture, praying, and listening for His direction.
Remember, the greatest treasure isn't something God gives you—it's the privilege of knowing Him.
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