Learn practical steps to seek God first in your life and experience spiritual growth through these Biblical examples and wisdom.
In a dream, I saw leaders gathered in a large room to brainstorm solutions to problems. Many problems were discussed and the people grew weary and disheartened.
Finally, a white-haired elder spoke up, “What does the Scripture say? “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
Sometimes we get caught up in finding answers and forget this powerful teaching about seeking God’s kingdom and His wisdom first.
Let’s explore for a moment how we can apply this timeless wisdom to our lives.
What Does it Mean to Seek God?
To “seek” means to actively pursue and inquire.
It’s more than just a casual glance; it’s a deep desire to know God’s heart and ways.
Jesus calls us to seek God first—not as a last resort when other options fail.
Seeking God first means turning to Him in prayer and looking for His guidance at the start of each day and in every situation.
Consider this, Eve’s great mistake in the Garden of Eden was failing to seek God first before interacting with the serpent.
If she had consulted God, things might have turned out differently.
This reminds us to turn to God immediately when faced with challenges.
Seeking His Righteousness
Jesus tells us to seek His righteousness, which is greater than the outward righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.
Many of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day missed the very presence of God when He walked among them in human form.
Similarly, we can miss what God is doing in our lives if we don’t actively seek Him.
When we live honestly and authentically with God and others, we experience His divine guidance and provision.
The Example of the Magi Seeking God
The story of the Magi offers a beautiful illustration of seeking God.
These wise men from the East traveled a great distance, enduring many hardships, to find and worship the newborn King.
Because they sought Him diligently, “the star… went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was” (Matthew 2:9).
God rewarded their sincere pursuit by guiding them directly to Jesus.
In the same way, when we seek God diligently, He will guide us to where we need to be.
We can trust that when we seek Him with all our hearts, He will meet us there and provide the answers we need.
Solomon’s Example of Seeking God
The story of Solomon demonstrates the power of putting God first.
When Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead His people, God not only granted him a wise and discerning heart but also blessed him with riches and honor (1 Kings 3:11-13).
This same principle applies to us today. When we seek God first, He promises to meet all our needs and bless us in ways beyond what we could imagine.
Come to God with Childlike Faith
One of the most profound ways to seek God is by approaching Him with the heart of a child.
Jesus emphasized the importance of having a childlike attitude when coming to God.
In Matthew 18:3, He said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
This doesn’t mean being immature or ignorant, but rather having the humility, trust, and openness that children naturally possess.
Children are fully dependent on their caregivers, trusting them for their needs, protection, and guidance.
In the same way, we are called to trust God completely, without holding back or trying to solve everything on our own.
When we come to Him in prayer, we should approach with the simplicity, sincerity, and curiosity of a child, knowing that He is a loving Father who loves us deeply.
Jesus also invites us to bring our burdens to Him, saying, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Just as a child turns to their parent for comfort and assurance, we can come to God with our worries and burdens, trusting that He will give us answers and rest.
When you approach God with the faith and innocence of a child, you open yourself up to His love, guidance, and peace in a way that is unhindered by doubt or self-reliance.
He invites you to lean on Him fully and trust that He will take care of your needs, just as He promised.
Learn to Ask God for His Perspective
It’s easy to rely on our own understanding, but God’s way of seeing things is often different from ours (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Seeking God requires us to pause, pray, and ask for His perspective on the problems we face.
This mindset shift doesn’t come naturally—it takes practice.
But the more we make seeking God our first response, the more we’ll see His guidance and blessings unfold in our lives.
Seek God First And He Will Provide
When we seek God and live by His principles, we can rest assured that He will meet all our needs.
Jesus reassured His followers that God takes care of the birds of the air and the lilies of the field—how much more will He care for us (Matthew 6:26-30)?
When we put God first, everything else will fall into place.
As we practice this habit, we’ll begin to experience the great rewards of a life that prioritizes God.
Don’t Wait to Seek God First
Too often, we delay seeking God, telling ourselves we’ll put Him first when we “get around to it.”
G.C. Jones shares a humorous story of a Christian who gave out small pieces of wood labeled “TUIT” as a reminder that now is the time to seek God, not later.
Don’t wait until you get a “round tuit”—start seeking God today.
Practical Action Steps to Seek God
If you’re ready to grow spiritually by seeking God, here are some practical steps to get started:
- Start Your Day with Prayer: Before anything else, take time to pray and ask God for guidance in all areas of your life.
- Read the Bible Daily: God speaks through His Word. Make it a habit to read Scripture each day, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal insights that apply to your life.
- Approach God with Childlike Trust: In your daily prayers, come to God with an open and humble heart, just as a child would trust a parent. Let go of your need to control the details and allow God to guide you, believing that He knows what is best for you.
- Invite God Into Every Decision: Before making decisions, pause and ask God for His perspective. Seek His wisdom in both big and small matters.
- Spend Time in Worship: Worship aligns your heart with God’s. Spend time praising Him, whether through music, prayer, or quiet reflection, or just simply turning your heart to His.
- Practice Gratitude: As you seek God, remember to thank Him for His guidance, provision, and faithfulness in your life. Learn more about the importance of cultivating a grateful heart.
- Seek Godly Counsel: Surround yourself with fellow believers who can pray with you and offer wisdom when needed.
- Be Patient and Persistent: Seeking God is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey. Be patient and trust that God will reveal Himself as you continue to seek Him. What is the Christian Journey?
- Reflect and Journal: Keep a journal to record what God is showing you through prayer, Scripture, and life experiences. This helps you track your spiritual growth and stay focused on seeking Him.
By applying these steps, you will grow closer to God and begin to experience His transformative work in your life. Seek Him first, and watch as He adds everything else according to His perfect plan.
Related Resources:
Why Hasn’t God Answered My Prayers?
What is the Christian Journey?
What Is the Kingdom of God & the Kingdom of Heaven?
7 Things that Hinder Spiritual Growth
What does God’s Voice Sound Like?
Knowing God’s Presence Series of Articles
- The 3 Secrets to Knowing God
- The Surprising Secret to an Intimate Friendship With God
- Why You Might Not Be Aware of God’s Presence
- 7 Tips for When You Can’t Seem to Feel God’s Presence
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