“So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” – Jesus speaking in Matthew 6:31-33
Used to be every time I read these verses I would hear God say, “Just trust me Rusty and I’ll take care of you.” But now the Lord’s telling me something new thru these verses. In place of the words “don’t worry” in verse 31 of the New Living Translation, the King James Version says, “take no thought.” So I got to thinking – God is not just asking for my trust. He’s basically saying “take no thought” of things down here on earth and “make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” Wow! I guess He wants ALL my thoughts! But why? Haven’t I already given up enough for Him? Then it hit me, the things we think about the most are the things we love the most. Go up a few verses and check out Matthew 6:21:
“Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and THOUGHTS will also be.”
Dang! That nailed me! God doesn’t want me thinking about worldly things all the time. I mean, he straight up asks, “Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things?” Even Paul talks about this in Colossians 3:2:
“Let Heaven fill your THOUGHTS. Do not THINK only about things down here on earth.”
In Philippians, Paul gets even more specific about where our thoughts should be focused:
“Fix your THOUGHTS on what is true and honorable and right. THINK about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. THINK about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” – Philippians 4:8
My thought life is all over the place, and a lot of times folks, I ain’t thinking about the Lord. Usually, I’m daydreaming about my future or some cute girl or what I’m hungry for or when will be the next time I can work out or when will I get to the internet again or whatever it is the world has surrounded me with. And I’ve learned this my friends; thinking about these worldly things doesn’t allow me to live in, or enjoy the moment God has given me. For whatever reason, my thoughts have been the hardest thing to turn over to God. I guess since I’m in the mission field I feel like, “Man, I’ve really made a sacrifice. I’ve given it all to Him. I’m such a great guy.” HA! Whatever, after reading Matthew 6, I realized I ain’t that great of a guy and I got a lot left to give! But, the best part is this; if and when I finally do give Him EVERYTHING, including my thoughts, He’ll provide for all my needs. Needs like food, shelter, and clothing, a life-long companion, internet, exercise, and finances – whatever my needs are HE WILL PROVIDE!
Plus, the only way to truly serve God is to walk in His Kingdom everyday with A HEAD FULL OF HEAVEN. If we have His Kingdom on our mind, all the time, we’re more sensitive to the things that surround us. Each day we have a chance to do God’s work, but we first must recognize those opportunities. And when our thoughts are wrapped up in the world, we usually find ourselves wrapped up in our own lives and our own needs. It’s only when we have a head full of heaven can we have a heart full of love and compassion for others.
