In the last few posts, I have talked about the Kingdom of God. I have talked about the importance of seeking the Kingdom and described what the Kingdom is. Starting today, I want to get down to some specific how-tos of seeking the kingdom. The first is perceiving the kingdom. Be on the lookout!
Our lives are filled with distractions. There is constant buzzing for our attention. Many of us are simply smothered and don’t have space in our lives. We are not perceiving what God is doing because we are not available. Our attention is focused elsewhere.
Think about the driver sitting at the red light and looking at their cell phone. The light turns green, but they fail to proceed because they are focused on the cell phone rather than driving. Finally, the person behind them honks their horn to get their attention. How many of us have God giving us a green light but we are looking somewhere else? We are not distracted drivers, but distracted Christians.
Be Still
A few months back, I encouraged you to take just 5 minutes each day to be still and silent. Turn off the TV, silent the notifications on your phone, and turn off all music. It is not time to pray. It is not time to do, but time to just be. Focus your mind and your thoughts upon God.
I encourage you to do this first thing in the morning. Often the first thing we do in a day will shape our day. It will direct our thoughts for the remainder of the day. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to be still and know God. What would happen if we were more intentional at focusing our mind on God at the beginning of the day? What if we started the morning with the purpose of makings us more aware of God’s presence?
Looking for Interruptions
There is no doubt that there will be an interruption to your plans today. There will be an interruption to your agenda. Even the most perfectly planned day is not free from interruptions.
But the question is, “how do you perceive those interruptions?”
Maybe that interruption is a leading by the Spirit. When the interruption happens, rather than be upset and frustrated, ask God what he is doing. Consider the opportunity he may be providing. Many of us spend our day doing our best at avoiding interruptions, but what if we began to seek out interruptions?
The more experience I gain, the more I realize that there are no coincidences. There are God-incidents. But no coincidences. That annoying interruption gives me a reason to pause to consider how God is trying to get my attention.
No Such Thing as Luck
Sometimes we talk about luck. For believers, there is no such thing as luck. When people wish me luck, I will tell them that I don’t need luck. I have God on my side.
When good luck or good fortune comes your way, consider it God’s gracious provision. And consider how this good fortune enables you to serve the Lord in a greater way.
When bad luck or bad fortune befalls you, ask what God may be redirecting in your life. What is the lesson to be learned? What is the opportunity for growth? What is the false god you created? Where are your priorities misaligned?
Awareness
What I am getting at in all this is the beginning of seeking the kingdom is having an awareness of the kingdom. It is seeing things we have been looking at our whole life in completely new ways. It is to acknowledge God is at work whether we perceive it or not.
Maybe you had had this experience when you bought a new car. Before you bought that car, you never notice that particular model on the road. But after you purchase the car, you begin seeing it all around town. It’s not that this model of car was not around. It’s just that you did not notice it.
That’s the kingdom. It is all around town. It’s not that it’s not there. It’s only that you might not have taken notice. It’s time to take notice. Increase your awareness! Be on the lookout, and you might be surprised at what you discover.
Lord, open the eyes of our hearts (Ephesians 1:18)! Enlighten us to perceive your kingdom coming every day. Amen.
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