But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33, NKJV)
I was frantically preparing for a two-day women’s conference, and nothing was flowing. I had just finished teaching at two back-to-back writers’ conferences and one women’s retreat, and though I had rested up, unpacked and repacked, and was physically ready for this next speaking engagement, I wasn’t spiritually ready.
And I knew it.
As I prepared my notes and sought the Lord for exactly which messages to bring, I finally stopped what I was doing, pushed away from my desk, took a deep breath, and prayed: “Father, I need to hear from You regarding which messages to bring to these precious women. I don’t want to preach a pre-packaged message I’ve given before. I want to give them fresh manna…”
I’d just prayed those words when I heard that still small Voice whisper: “You have nothing new to say because you haven’t gone any place new with Me. You can’t give out fresh manna when you haven’t partaken of any fresh manna in weeks.”
Ouch.
I knew He was right. In the hustle and bustle of teaching and traveling, I hadn’t been in the Word like usual, and I’d neglected my prayer time, too. I had “worked God into my schedule.” Put Him on my “to do” list. He was a priority, just not first priority, and that simply wasn’t going to work for Him.
You see, the Bible says that God is a jealous God. He wants to be first place in our lives, but He is also a gentleman. He won’t barge His way into our lives. We have to seek Him, and seeking requires time.
God also desires that we set our affections on Him.
Colossians 3:1-2 says, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (NIV)
Why do you think that is?
So He can pour His affection on us! When we desire for God to reveal Himself so much that we put aside other things, we experience the things of God in a way we’ve never known.
If you’re not sure whether or not your affection is set on God, you can find out in a hurry. Just take a minute and evaluate how you’ve been spending your time. If you’ve been watching Netflix instead of having your daily devotions, then your affection is on Netflix–not God. Whatever has your affection will get your attention–every time.
So, determine today to redirect your affection to God. When you do that, you’ll be propelled down that pathway to the Secret Place in Him, and your misplaced priorities will be properly placed.
Pray this with me: “Father, I repent for not putting You first every single day, and I ask that You help me to get my priorities straight. I love You, Lord, and I purposely set my affections on You today and forevermore. In the Mighty Name of Your Son, Jesus, Amen.”
