Matthew 6:24-34
Have you ever seen an array of dominos, stood on end, one after another in a long line? If they are set up correctly and the spacing is precise, when the first is tipped It will knock over the next one and so forth. Someone with a great deal of time and patience can create elaborate designs and patterns among the tipping objects. It is something to see. Life has it’s own set of dominos, issues that cause us concern, worry, anxiety. What will we eat? Where will we live? What can we wear? And while these are important questions, none of these ranks as the “first domino.” There is one that should always come first, and that is the will of God.
“But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” says Jesus, “and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). To put any “domino” ahead of the kingdom of God is to fall into the trap that we read about in Deuteronomy. There God warns the people to avoid idolatry at all costs. “…(I)f you act corruptly by making an idol in the form of anything…you will soon utterly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to occupy…” (Deuteronomy 4:25-26). To make anything other than God and God’s will the “first domino” is false worship which leads only to hardship and struggle But if God is our primary focus, the “first domino” in our array, then the other issues can and will be sorted out for us.
Don’t worry about what you will eat or wear, worry about who you will worship, said Jesus. Do not make an idol out of anything, God tells the people through Moses, or you will not survive long. It all makes sense. When we are lining up the dominos of life, we should be sure that our devotion to God is first and not somewhere down the life. Then we may begin to live worry-free.
Prayer: Lord help us to get our priorities straight, that we may live according to your will and be freed from the worries of daily live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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