Becoming Dialed-in with Jesus
Parents,
This past week in both Sunday High School Hangs and Middle School MDWK, we discussed a foundational topic with our students: Becoming Dialed-in with Jesus.
Matthew 6:33 reminds us to "seek first the kingdom". But in our everyday lives, especially at the start of a school year when schedules begin filling up, sometimes seeking God's Kingdom becomes 3rd or 4th on our list of priorities. And what usually takes the top spot on our list? It's not evil or bad things. It's everyday things. I want you to notice the full context of Matthew 6:33...
Jesus tells us not to be anxious about what we'll wear, eat, or drink–which are things that we all are tempted to provide for ourselves rather than trusting in God.
But let me ask you a question: Have you ever been hungry? Thirsty? Have you ever scoured your closet looking for the perfect outfit to wear on a date night or a really important event? Odds are, if you're human, you've sought after the very basic necessities of life–that is–food, clothing, and water.
So is Jesus saying that you shouldn't seek after these things? Of course not. He goes on to say that our Heavenly Father knows that we need those things. Now here's the connection.
What Pulls us Away
What pulls us away from the Lord is not usually an objectively evil thing. More often than not, it's the everyday things. This scripture points at the basic necessities of life as the things that pull us away from seeking God first, but the lesson remains the same no matter what we replace them with. If Jesus was talking to a modern, western audience, how would he communicate Matthew 6:25-33? I like to believe that he would say it like this (call it the PDV [Pastor Dom Version]):
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your schedules, your to-do lists, nor your next commitment. Is not life more than running around ragged, being a slave to the next demand or interruption? And Your Father in Heaven knows you have commitments, relationships to steward, kids to bring to practices and events, schooling and careers to excel in... But your priorities are misplaced. Seek His Kingdom and righteousness first–before the busyness of life–and the things that bring you anxiety, God will grace you to complete these tasks often in ways that can only be described as miraculous. When you seek Him first and make abiding with Me the end goal, everything else falls into place."
So How Do You Stay "Dialed-In"?
The answer is what we read in Matthew 6:33. Before the demands of our lives hijack our time, we have to be intentional about seeking God.
If anyone had a packed schedule and a thousand demands, it was Jesus. Despite this, Jesus established a rhythm in His life that embodied what it looked like to seek the Kingdom first. And we find this rhythm in Mark 1:35 (NIV).
"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."
It's a simple scripture but it teaches us something important–and this was a main point of our message this past Sunday and Wednesday:
You will not accidentally drift into putting God first; You have to choose it.
In this new fall school season and beyond, how will you choose to seek Him first? How can you steward an environment in your home where the family is seeking the Lord together? Here's where you can start.
Ways to Engage Your Teen This Week:
1. ON THE WAY - Talk About It
Try this in the car on your way to the next event. Ask your teen:
"What do you think gets most of your attention right now?" Then answer the question yourself.
The goal of asking this question is not to get a deep, spiritual answer, but to open up honest conversation
2. IN THE MIDDLE - Find 5-10 Minutes with God
In the morning, before bed, after dinner, or whenever you can find some downtime, challenge everyone in the family (including yourself) to take a distraction-free 5-10 minutes with God. Put phones in other areas of the house, read a few verses, and talk with Jesus. It's okay to sit quietly in his presence. Not every moment needs to be filled.
The goal here is to establish a rhythm of seeking God above all else.
3. AROUND THE TABLE - Pray Together
Try this at dinner time or a moment when everyone is together. Ask, "What's something that has been on your mind lately?" It can be exciting, stressful, frustration, distracting, or anxiety-inducing.
Then pray for each other. The prayer can be as simple as:
"Jesus, help us to put you first in our lives in the midst of our busy schedules. Give us eyes and ears to notice and pay attention to the ways that you're moving in our lives. We ask for your peace as we go about our days. Help us to give you the things we can't control and stay focused on you. Amen."
Start Small and Celebrate the Wins
Whether you can do all three, or just one, don't despise starting small. The goal is not to hit a home run, but simply to start somewhere. As you make a rhythm of prioritizing seeking Him first, my prayer is that you will receive the peace and joy that can only come from a life of abiding in Jesus.
God Bless,
Pastor Dom