Matthew 6:33

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and you shall have all the rest besides.

I received a text message late one Saturday night recently. It was from my landlord. A picture of one of my tires, which was quite flat, and a text: "I think you have a flat on your right front tire. It's low on air." A few seconds later there was another message: "I can look at it tomorrow if you want."

I had been thinking about seeking the kingdom of God first, in preparation for an introduction in the church service the next day. Thinking about what getting "everything else" means.

Then these messages came and became a reminder of God's care: I didn't even know I had a problem until I also got the solution to the problem: help to fix what was broken. I didn't have time to worry about how I was going to do this. My landlord has years of experience and a garage full of tools. And a good heart. It cost him so little to fix the problem for me.

So the next day I had to leave the car and took the bus to the church. And when I got home, he had changed the tires on my car and their own two cars. It was early summer tires this year in the hope that spring HAD actually arrived. And it looks like it's going well.

The problem was solved. However, I had to go to the workshop and get help with the tire. It wasn't punctured, I just had to change a valve.

What does it mean to seek God first and then get everything else? It doesn't mean presenting all our wishes to God. "I'd like a cottage by the sea, and ..." It's more about Him knowing what I need - even before I know it myself. He doesn't always give me what I want or think I need. But if He knows that I need something, He can fix it. My focus can be with Him. Then I don't have to worry about this and that. Like that, really.

Yes, I know. It's easier said than done. But when He says it, it's at least possible. Maybe we should strive for it. After all, it's really just one thing He asks of us: To fix our eyes on Him!

Seeking Him first is not about what He can do for me. It's about who He IS to me. When that's my focus, there's actually nothing He can't do for me. And when I look to Him, seek Him, focus on Him, I don't have to worry about all that other stuff. Regardless of whether it's a flat tire or something else entirely.

- Ingfrid Mundal, Bodø 29/04-24

Photo: Mette Vestberg Sørensen

After all, it's really just one thing He asks of us: To fix our eyes on Him!