But seek first, the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
I recently watched a clip of a caretaker and two panda cubs. The caretaker had the task of raking the leaves of the enclosure, and the cubs had the task of undoing everything the caretaker tried to accomplish! The cubs wreaked havoc on the leaf raking – they climbed into the basket, dumped out the leaves, took the rake, climbed on the caretaker’s legs! Yet, at the end she accomplished the goal of raking the leaves.
Amid all, I was reminded about the importance of family, friendships, stillness, calmness, hope, love, and laughter. I also came to realize that I am the cub pandas and God is the caretaker! God continues to offer me abundant life through Scripture, worship, prayer, stillness and mercy. I continue to dump over the baskets – desiring something else that does not fulfill.
My ardent prayer is: Lord forgive me/us when we reject all that is given to us – in relationships, in kindness, in caring for one another, in justice seeking, and in building Your Kingdom. Help us to seek You first in all things so that You may be glorified. Amen.
May this devotion provide you with a moment of faithful reflection and care. You are involved in ministries of justice and witness, in ministries of standing up and standing with people working to create better systems and communities, in ministries of learning and searching and researching to become more aware and awakened, more technologically savvy and proficient, more virtually and personally present in your churches and communities and world. Each of us who serve as members of your Wisconsin Cabinet write these devotions in grateful prayer for you – for sustenance and buoyancy, for strength and courage, for safety and just actions, and for faith and love to be full and fulfilled in your daily lives. God’s grace and blessings, God’s challenge and healthy discomfort, God’s Spirit and energy be with you, in the hope Christ offers us all.