Kingdom Seeker

Photo by Garrett Sears

Writing for me is a therapeutic outlet that allows me to pour out so that I do not continually pack down and pile on all the "stuff" that will inevitably be spewed on the next unsuspecting soul who innocently crosses my path or trespasses into a sensitive area much like stumbling into a field of land mines. Full disclosure. I write from a place of total imperfection. As the Apostle Paul so eloquently wrote in Philippians 3:12 (NLT):

"I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me."

While traveling in this life, we often hit roadblocks that can stall, redirect, or completely hinder our progress all together. It is during these times, that we need to go back to the map for direction. For believers, the Bible is our reliable source for clear instruction. Every day we should take time to meet with our Father, our Tour Guide, the One who orders our steps. We must continually pray for clarification--step by step instructions like we are given on Google Maps or GPS so that we do not wander down the wrong side street or find ourselves at a dead end.  Following His road map will help you avoid accidents, unnecessary delays, and U-turns along the way. 

One roadblock to beware of is covetousness. This inordinate desire can detour you down paths you were never meant to travel which only delays your progress. This very thing has happened to me more times than I care to recount. In my reflection on this topic, I can now see myself at various crossroads where coveting was a diversion that carried me further away from all that God has for me and my little family.

Coveting should not be confused with jealousy. These are two different emotions entirely. In my prayer time, the Lord began to shine a light on this area, so I know this something in my life that needs to be addressed. To effectively deal with the matter I searched out the meaning of these words for clarification. Jealousy is a resentment because someone else has something you think you deserve more. Coveting, on the other hand, does not necessarily mean you do not want the other person to have the thing you desire, but you want yours, too! The bad attitude is more about the object of your covetousness rather than the person. 

Now that I have a better understanding of the issue, it is time to destroy this ugliness in my life by chopping it off at the root. Coveting by definition is to wish, long, or crave for. The root of coveting is greed.

Jesus warns in Luke 12:15,

 "...Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man's life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs."

In other words, we are not defined in God's kingdom by what we have, but rather who we are inside. Well, you say, this is not my issue. I do not covet. Maybe not, but I strongly encourage you to ask God to search your heart and bring to light those hidden areas where there may be a seed of covetousness, greed, envy, or jealousy. The desire for wealth and possessions is likely a common area in which many struggle, but if that is not you, consider this. Do you covet a close relationship with someone you admire? Do you covet a position in the church you attend or covet a place in a close-knit circle of friends? Perhaps membership in an exclusive community group or club continues to elude you. Would you do anything to "just fit in", to be noticed, or to be loved?

If we are to covet anything, we should be coveting those Kingdom things that will bring us to full perfection in Him. We are instructed in Matthew 6:33 to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." I have heard numerous teachings on this scripture, but it occurs to me while writing this blog, that does not necessarily mean we will accumulate "all these things" as in physical, natural things, but all the things the Kingdom of God has to offer us. When that happens, friend, earthly things will no longer matter so much because you will possess all you need!

1 Peter 2:2 (MSG) "So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy, and hurtful talk. You've had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God's pure kindness. Then, you'll grow up mature and whole in God."