“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

 

The way we begin our day shapes our hearts and minds for what follows. We wake up to responsibilities, challenges, and distractions vying for our attention. But before we reach for our phones, our tasks, or our worries, Christ calls us to seek Him first—to set our hearts on the eternal before engaging with the temporal.

 

Christ Above All

 

Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33 remind us that our primary pursuit should be God’s kingdom and righteousness. The world tells us to chase success, security, and comfort, but these things are secondary to knowing Christ. He promises that when we prioritize Him, all our needs will be met in accordance with His perfect will.

 

Paul echoes this in Colossians 3:1-2, saying:

 

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

 

A heart set on Christ sees everything else—work, relationships, struggles—through the lens of His truth.

 

Starting the Day in His Presence

 

So how do we practically seek God first each morning?

1. Begin with Prayer – Before engaging with the world, engage with the Lord. A simple prayer of surrender can set the tone:

“Father, I commit this day to You. Guide my thoughts, words, and actions for Your glory.”

2. Dwell in His Word – Even a few verses can reorient our perspective. Consider reading through a Psalm or meditating on a passage like Lamentations 3:22-23:

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

3. Renew Your Mind – The world will seek to distract you. Take a moment to remind yourself: Who am I in Christ? What is my purpose today? How can I glorify Him?

4. Live with Intentionality – Seeking first the kingdom means carrying Christ’s presence into your work, your interactions, and your challenges. It is a mindset of worship throughout the day.

 

A Prayer for Today

 

Heavenly Father, as I begin this day, I fix my heart and mind on You. Let Your kingdom be my greatest pursuit and Your righteousness my deepest longing. Strengthen me to walk in faithfulness, to trust You in every challenge, and to reflect Christ in all I do. Thank You for Your mercies, which are new every morning. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

No matter what today holds, you are held by the One who never fails. Fix your eyes on Him, and everything else will fall into its rightful place.