First Things First: Finding Peace Amidst Chaos
Pastor Kyle Veach
It's a brand new year, and we're diving right into a fantastic series called "FIRST," exploring the moments and directions where we need to put the most important things FIRST. Click the link above for the full message if you want to explore further.
A Fresh Start: The Pantry Purge
We kicked off the year with a household adventure - a pantry purge! You won't believe the treasures (or should I say, time capsules) we found. Butterscotch pudding packets that expired way back in 2011? Yup, you read that right! That means that Kara and I moved from our house in Stanwood to a rental house, to another rental, and then to then our current house with this little yellowed butterscotch box. This thing has been around longer than our children.
It got me thinking: as we scoured the pantry, looking for expired foods, that is exactly what we as a family found. Whenever we go looking for things, that’s often what we find. When we go looking for trouble, man, do we find it. In a world that seems to be constantly looking for things to be worried about, that is exactly what can be found. What we look for; what we seek, we will find. But are we seeking the right things?
Seeking Peace in a Worry-Filled World
I couldn't help but think of these powerful words from one of Jesus’s most famous sermons known as, “The Sermon on the Mount”. This passage from Matthew 6:25-34 explores what we should be “seeking”, and what we should not be seeking:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 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."
Now, I toyed with the idea of titling this section "The Cure to Worry." After all, Jesus dives deep into the topic of worry, providing a profound perspective. But I get it; you might be thinking, "Really, Pastor Kyle? We're talking about worry now?" But bear with me, my friends. This is worth our time.
Three Ways to Become a Kingdom Seeker
The passage I focused on the most when reading this larger chunk of wisdom comes from the very end. In verse 33, Jesus tells his listeners to “seek FIRST his kingdom and his righteousness”. The first thing we are to do…the top of the list…is to seek God’s kingdom. So, how do we become kingdom seekers in a world full of worries and chaos? Here are three powerful ways:
1. Make God Your First Response
Remember those times when your kids couldn't find something, and you'd ask, "Did you look?" We often do the same with our problems, worries, and concerns - we try to solve them without involving God. But talking to God is easier and more important than you might realize. In times of crisis, He's the ultimate first responder. He’s the one who created us, so wouldn’t he be the best one to go to when we have an “us” problem?
Proverbs 3:6 reminds us, "In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success." Even as the world changes around us, God remains constant. So, let's make talking to God our first resort in demanding seasons, during big decisions, when we're missing someone, in times of need, and when we're in pain.
2. Replace Anxiety with Prayer
Prayer is the lifeline of faith, but it's often misunderstood. It's the bridge between what you can do and what God can do. Prayer reveals God's purpose for our lives and empowers us to live supernaturally. As Chris Hodges aptly puts it, “it's the access point where heaven touches earth, maintaining our connection with our Creator, Savior, and Redeemer”.
Anxiety, on the other hand, gets us nowhere. In Matthew 6:27, Jesus bluntly asks, "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Worry doesn't solve problems; it only makes you miserable while you deal with them. Let's replace anxiety with trust. And the best way to build that trust is to put time and effort into speaking to the one who loves you unconditionally. Prayer is just a conversation. All conversations deepen relationships - your conversation with God is pivotal in deepening your trust in Him.
3. Give God Your Life
When you put God first and seek His kingdom, you give Him your burdens, worries, anxiety, and cares. Matthew 6:33 reminds us that when we seek the kingdom of God first, He provides for our needs. So, why insist on carrying anxious burdens when God is more than willing to carry them for us?
It's the difference between checking your luggage at the airport and carrying it around. Many of us have baggage from our past that we drag along throughout life, convinced that we need it to our next destination. We don’t “check our bags” because we don’t trust what will happen with it when it’s out of our sight.
However, in 1 Peter 5:7, the Bible says we are to “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” ALL OF IT. Every single worry, ever single pain, every single failure and feeling of guilt or shame. Give your unnecessary baggage to God because it’s not for you to continue to carry. He took your baggage, nailed it to the cross, and invited your in to a relationship with him in spite of everything that was in that bag!
Remember that the continued cure lies in fixing your eyes on Jesus, making the day-by-day choice to trust Him. Anxiety about the details isn't a sin, but it's not helpful. So, what are you anxious about? Perhaps it's time to take the next four Tuesdays in January to replace your worries with fasting.
Fasting: Give God Your Luggage
Take these four Tuesdays in January to pray and fast. If you’re reading this outside of our time in praying and fasting, consider taking your own personal fast to get in alignment with God. Check out the blog post titled, “Prayer + Fasting: What it is and how you can engage in this spiritual discipline” for tips and tricks on how to pray and fast.
Let go of your burdens and anxieties, and watch God take them on. It's a powerful way to seek His kingdom and His righteousness while letting Him handle the rest.
Let's make this year one where we truly put "First Thing's First." Click the link above for the full message and join us on this incredible journey of seeking God's kingdom and finding peace amidst the chaos.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to deepen your understanding of seeking God's kingdom and righteousness:
John Mark Comer’s new book, Practicing the Way is coming out on January 16, 2024, but you can preorder now or check out his online resources on his website, Practicing the Way.org
The Bible Project has a great resource on The Sermon on the Mount - the most famous collection of sermons from Jesus recorded in scripture. Check out the video or this article for more context on the passage from this message.
Other Link
Want to hear more? Check one of Kyle's past message also titled, "Practicing the Way" all about the discipline of prayer.