How can I 'Seek first the Kingdom of God'?

When Jesus is teaching his disicples about not worrying (Matt 6:25-34) he tells them to seek first the Kingdom of God.

But how do we do that?  I think Col 3:1-4 breaks that down into some clear steps:

1.  Since you have been rasied with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

It always starts with what God as done - being raised with Christ.  Then we need to set our hearts to be in alignment with God's reign as revealed in Jesus Christ.  To set our hearts means to set our wills, or in other words to determine that we are going to make choices that align with what Jesus Christ wants.  The best place to start is with the next choice you make - the next task at work, the conversation you are about to have, the way you drive to the shops .....  Then move to the next choice.

Look to develop a habit with all your choices. This habit will probably take some time to develop, so one thing you might like to do either just before bed or first thing in the morning, is to think through your activities for the day and ask God to help you align your choices with His kingdom.

2.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things

Our minds are made up of our thoughts and feelings.  If we just try and align our wills with God's will while leaving our existing patterns of thought and feeling in place, we will quickly fail.  We need to ask God to help us think and feel about the situations in our lives, the way God thinks and feels about those situations.  When we think about people, possessions, difficulties, lack, abundance the way God does, we will find it much easier to make  choices aligned with God's kingdom.  Again the best place to start is with the next situation you are going in to.  Ask God to help you think and feel about the situation the way He does.

Sometimes we can be unsure about how to think and feel about a particular situation, and in those cases it can help to read more of the life of Jesus in the Gospels or ask a Christian who you think might have some insight into that area.

3.  For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Embrace the fact that seeking first the Kingdom is a whole new way of life, not some minor adjustments to our current lives.  It is a life that is more concerned about internal and eternal realities rather than external appearance.

4.  When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

It is a life freed from the need to seek our '15 minutes of fame', or the passing glory of success or approval.  It is a life filled with the joy and peace that comes from basking in the radiant glory of Jesus.