Original Entry: May 14, 2008
McMinnville, OR
But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
But seek his kingdom, and these things will be
given to you as well. Luke 12:31
I was a collector of things as a young man. Even as a man I am constantly looking for
“stuff” while driving, whether that be wild game or anything that man (ancient
or modern) might have left along the way.
My childhood collections are a long list indeed: Knives, arrowheads,
coins, stamps, rattlesnake rattles, deer antlers, comic books, old fishing
reels, beer steins, guns, stamps, and probably more than I can even
recall. At times these collectables
consumed my thoughts, plans, and dreams.
Men are collectors.
They love to seek, search, or chase anything
that is a challenge or potential conquest.
Maybe that is why women are so beautifully intriguing to a man. Their mystery keeps us coming back for
more. As a young man trying to seek and
understand women drove me crazy and as a committed husband for the last 20
years, I must admit, I am still at a loss in fully understanding Shanna. The
mysteries deep within my wife keep me coming back for more!
Men are made to seek.
We were created for the hunt, the pursuit, or
anything with a tape stretched across the finish line. Too often, however, men pursue the wrong
things. Too often men waste life,
breath, and energy pursuing a counterfeit.
Too many men have wasted their lives pursuing that which cannot endure
beyond this lifetime. Too many great men
have slid into mediocrity by compromising the quest of great things for the
desire of good things.
But good is not good enough.
The quality of life is defined by the quality of
the things we pursue. The pursuit of
wealth, power, and bragging rights (1
John 2: 15-17) may be good for now, but it is not good enough for
eternity. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek (humbly confident) for they shall inherit the
earth” (Matthew 5:5). The meek
pursue something more, something different, and something of great value. The meek inherit the blessings of the Heaven
because their pursuit was of the Great One-Jesus Christ.
Good is the enemy of great.
The pursuit of worldly renown is the enemy of “knowing Christ”. Our first, last, and
most passionate pursuit should be to “seek
first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). In other words,
the great hunt is about a man spending his life chasing after the Great One.
Look in your garage. Open your gun safe. Review
your financial portfolio.
What collections do you have that may be good,
but are not great?
What will it take
before you seek the Great One?
