Set Your Mind On The Kingdom Of God

St Francis in Meditation, San Damiano, Assisi

'But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well.' Matthew 6:33

The Bible, the Word of God, is very interactive with the lives of committed Christians. God speaks to us from the Bible, often referred to as the Living Word. A verse such as Matthew 6:33 impacts differently at different times of our lives, yet remains always relevant as we grow and mature in faith.

There are 2 parts to this verse

• Acquiring the Kingdom - 'Seek the Kingdom'
• Acquiring wealth - 'All these things will be given you.'

With each passing year, my understanding of both these aspects take on different slants and understanding. 

What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God? I started first by seeking to do God's will, to participate in Christ's ministry, to become involved. Over the years, I served in the church, in charitable organisations, in missions and social concerns; to do God's will. 

But Father John Main, whose advocacy of Christian meditation led to the eventually founding of WCCM (World Community for Christian Meditation), understood this 'seeking first the kingdom' to mean setting our minds on the Kingdom of God. In one of his lead-ups to a time of meditation, John Main mentioned that our minds are often set on all forms of intermediate desires and aims when our one true focus should be only God. He said, 'The moment we go beyond all intermediate desires and desire only God, that is the moment of reality, the moment of enlightenment.' 

And so instead of focusing on the 'doing' I learnt much later on in life, to focus on the 'being' - being in the presence  of God. This is what we are doing in our Quiet Times, in prayer, in silence, in stillness and in meditation. We set our minds on the the kingdom of God, finding God's presence. Whereas Christian Ministry fulfills God's will, Christian Meditation equally fulfills Christ's injunction to seek first His Kingdom.

And sometimes, action comes after meditation as was the experience of St Francis of Assisi. In the 13th Century a young Francis entered the dilapidated church of San Damiano, just outside the city walls of Assisi. He knelt before the San Damiano crucifix in meditative prayer when he heard God's voice telling him that the church was in ruins and asking Francis to rebuilt the church. Francis after his quiet contemplative moment went into action not only to rebuilt the physical church at that location but started a movement to stir up the universal church.

Regarding the second part of Matt 6:33, admittedly, an early intention to seek the kingdom was to acquire wealth and blessings. We conclude that the blessings of wealth and happiness will be our reward as we seek after God. This belief is prevalent with many Christians and has led to teaching of the  prosperity Gospel. While Christian industry may bring much wealth and satisfaction, the verse aims at establishing priority, the priority of pursuing God rather than the pursuit of earthly treasures.

Hence many have interpreted Jesus' statement, 'all these things shall be added unto you, to mean spiritual wealth rather than material wealth. Some, like saints Francis of Assisi and Theresa of Calcutta, chose the paths of poverty instead.

About possessions and wealth, Saint Paul wrote:

'I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him.' Philippians 3:7-9 (NLT)

'Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.' Philippians 4:11-13

It is wonderful to see how the Word of God 'grows' on you. I think I now understand what Christ meant in Matthew 6:33 and learned to apply through the quieter and more reflective times of my maturing age. Having been a Christian for so many years, seeking to find and doing the will of God, I realise that whilst Christian service was important in my younger days, Christian meditation and a more contemplative phase begin to take precedence in my maturing years.

  

Seeking the Kingdom of God now means Finding the Presence of God. This song by Don Moen expressed the desire to seek God's presence through Christian meditation,  'I Just Want To Be Where You Are' 

I just want to be where you are

Dwelling daily in your presence

I don't want to worship from afar

Draw me near to where you are

I just want to be where you are

In your dwelling place forever

Take me to the place where you are

I just want to be with you

I want to be where you are

Dwelling in your presence

Feasting at your table

And surrounded by your glory

In your presence

That's where I always want to be

I just want to be

I just want to be with you

I just want to be where you are

Dwelling daily in your presence

I don't want to worship from afar

Draw me near to where you are

Oh my God, you are my strength and my song

And when I'm in your presence

Though I'm weak, you're always strong

I just want to be where you are

In your dwelling place forever

In your dwelling place forever

Take me to the place

Take me to the place where you are

'Cause I just want to be

I just want to be with you

I just want to be

I just want to be with you

Lionel