Day 2: Stretching to Seek First

Focus Area - REACH UP
Stretching Toward God

Scriptures: Matthew 6:33 (NIV); Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

Reflection: Seeking God first isn’t just the right priority – it’s the key to everything we need.

Expanded Focus:
Growing up, I can remember being told, “You need to get your priorities in order.” Now, this was usually said right after I’d done something I wanted to do instead of what I was told to do. But as I’ve grown older, becoming a mother, wife, manager, and minister, getting my priorities in order has taken on an entirely new meaning.

I’ve been reciting Matthew 6:33 since I was a child: “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Back then, that simply meant, “Put God first.” Now, as an adult, I see why seeking God first matters so deeply. However, there’s one small word in this verse that I overlooked for years: “But.” In Matthew 6:25, Jesus tells us not to worry about life, about what to eat, drink, or wear, reminding us that God already knows our needs. Then He says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” That “but” is powerful. It’s a call to shift our focus—to seek, not stress. When we intentionally seek God first, He takes care of everything else.

We know God knows the plans He has for us, but we must seek the One who holds the plan. He promises that when we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Seeking God is deliberate: it takes time, discipline, and putting Him first again and again. So, if you’re worried about how you’re going to make it through The Stretch, but seek God. Worried about how you’ll get it all done? But seek God. Wondering if it’s worth it? But seek God. When seeking God is our first priority, everything else begins to fall into place. The peace, direction, and provision we need are found when we choose to make Him our focus—trusting He will handle everything else.