Have you ever frantically searched for something you have lost?

It is usually something important and valuable like your cell phone, wallet, or keys. Your world just isn’t right until the item is back in its proper place (typically your pocket). Everything else is put on hold for those few moments it takes to find them. Whatever else was occupying your mind now takes a backseat to this one pursuit. We seek the things that are important and precious to us.

The English word “seek” is defined on Dictionary.com as “to go in search or quest of:” or “to try to find or discover by searching or questioning”. Seek is an action word. It means to intentionally do something. When you lose your car keys, you intentionally choose to cease all other activity to focus on that one task. You don’t just go on with life hoping that you will happen upon them at some point. As a matter of fact, you may not be able to go on with life until you have first found your keys (unless you can take your bike to work or get the groceries).

Jesus says that we are to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). The Greek word used here is “zeteo” and means to seek, pursue, or strive for. Much the same meaning of our English word seek. However, Jesus adds the word “first” (Greek “proton”—meaning “first in time, first in dignity, first in importance, before all things”). This is an adverb that places emphasis on the intensity of the verb seek—it is to take first importance.

Therefore, Jesus is telling us that seeking the kingdom of God is to take first importance in our lives. We keep ourselves from doing this when we get distracted by our own agendas and the worries and concerns of this world.

If we focus our attention on seeking God and His Kingdom first, he will take care of everything else. Therefore, when we choose to focus on the “everything else” instead of God, we are shouldering a burden that he doesn’t intend for us to carry. Do you hear that? God doesn’t intend for you to shoulder the burdens of life—that is his job.

David expresses this very desire to seek God first when he writes:

One thing I ask from the Lord,‌‌this only do I seek:‌‌ that I may dwell in the house of the Lord‌‌all the days of my life,‌‌to gaze on the beauty of the Lord‌‌and to seek him in his temple.‌‌

Psalm 27:4, NIV

To seek the Lord in this manner takes faith–faith that God will indeed take care of all the other stuff if we focus on Him first.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him, must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him 
(from Greek “ekzeteo” meaning “to seek diligently or earnestly after, a continuous pursuit, a singular determination”)

Hebrews 11:6, NIV

Jesus came so that we might have a life that is characterized as abundant and full (John 10:10).

We discover this life when we focus our full attention on him and seek him in every moment and situation. 

The Lord told the people of Israel, “Seek the Lord and live” (Amos 5:4 and 6). 

The Psalmist writes, “The poor will see and be glad—you who seek God, may your hearts live!” (Psalm 69:32) 

Are you ready for a journey where you really live—fully and abundantly? Then focus all of your attention on seeking Jesus and you will experience life like you have never known before!