Seek First His Kingdom

I’ve never been one to make New Year’s resolutions, mostly because I don’t like to give myself goals only to not reach them. However after reading several posts online about what people want to accomplish in 2014, I find myself wanting to make a list of things I want to see, do, and have happen in the new year. Sometimes though when I begin making a list of new goals, I get overwhelmed not knowing for sure what’s worth working on and what I should let pass me by. What does God really want me to focus on in the new year?

And then He reminds me of Matthew 6:33: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (NIV).

I believe it’s important to have dreams and goals and hopes and wishes and to work on making them come to fruition, but above all it’s most important to focus on Christ first and foremost. Then everything else will fall into place as He wants it to, not necessarily as we want it to.

This past year has been a lesson in surrendering for me---surrendering it all to Him even when I don’t quite know how that will look. It’s a daily process, but He’s teaching me little by little how to keep my hands open releasing my plans and dreams to Him. Yes, many days He has to remind me that my grasp has gotten a little too tight and I’m holding onto my desires more than I should and He gently helps me to loosen my grip.

So my prayer for 2014 isn’t a list of goals I want to reach. Instead, it’s simply that my focus stays steady on my Father, praying that He aligns the desires in my heart to match His.

Have you chosen a special word or verse for 2014? I would love to hear what it is if you have!