Paradigm Shift to Kingdom Thinking

How to get into alignment with divine assignments this week.

Author

Alvin Oommen
October 19, 2023

The Salt Newsletter

This Week: Think Kingdom.

​read time 8 minutes

Welcome to The Salt Newsletter, a weekly email where I aim to provide insight from scripture, application on how to implement it into your week, and tips on how to teach this to someone else.

In Acts 1:1, Luke states that in his gospel he wrote about all that “Jesus began to do and teach.” An important model for us all because it isn’t just important for us to do what scripture says. We should have a heart that’s quick to teach it to others as well. Why? Because we’re the salt of the earth!

The Normal Mental Pattern

History is full of fascinating and obscure day-to-day worries. Cultures that preceded ours had good reason to wake up already exhausted! Nearly everyone feared parasites and inadequate shelter was quite common. There was often no certainty of when next meal would even come.

Today, our worries are generally less life-threatening, but they remain concerning for all of us.

Consider the illustration above: The triangle represents some of the most significant anxiety-inducing categories in our lives.

Point A highlights concern for our careers. This tends to carry a substantial weight because it provides our means for living, and it also influences the social capital we believe it earns us when we meet or exceed others’ expectations.

Point B of the triangle pertains to our personal happiness. The pursuit of happiness transcends age, culture or even geography. With thousands of books written on the topic, the quest for self-actualization occupies significant real estate in our minds.

Point C encompasses all our interpersonal relationships. Our longing for love, a family, companionship and a confidant all generates worries of if we’re even deserving of such things and when, or if, we’ll obtain them.

As important as these things are, the pursuit of these things is NOT the supreme mission statement for humanity. Loving the Lord and seeking HIS Kingdom first is.

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:31-33

Before I explain this Kingdom shaking verse, I want to recap on the above. The triangle of your life consists of Point A, Point B and Point C. However, God sees your life as Point A + B + C + D + E. See the illistration below.

When you focus on A + D + E, the needs of B and C are already met.

People don't always realize the profound context of Jesus' statement here. He's addressing a crowd with very real and physical needs, speaking to people like you and me with our worries and concerns represented by points A, B, and C, as shown in the first triangle above. Jesus understands that we need these things, but He presents another strategy for us: the model of seeking His Kingdom, with everything else falling in between.

Your responsibility is to pursue A +D +E. He responds with “all these things” (A + B + C + D + E).

Your responsibility is to live within A (Seeking Kingdom), D (His Righeousness) and E (Being a Disciple). Automatically everything else is included in between when you pursure God’s choicest blessings for yourself.

Personal Reflection/Application

Today, make a conscious effort to prioritize God's Kingdom above all else. Start your day with a moment of prayer and reflection, asking God to guide your actions. Throughout the day, remind yourself of Matthew 6:33 and seek opportunities to live out your faith.

  1. Morning: Begin your day with prayer and Bible reading. Reflect on what it means to seek God's Kingdom first.

  2. Daytime: In your interactions with others, show love, kindness, and patience.

  3. Evening: Take a moment to assess your day. Did you prioritize seeking God's Kingdom? What could you have done differently?

Challenge Recap: Prioritizing God's Kingdom for a single day can be a powerful reminder of what truly matters in life. Let your actions reflect your faith, and may you experience the peace and blessings that come from seeking God first.

How To Teach This Lesson To Others

  1. Start a Conversation: Begin by asking someone about their worries or concerns in life, whether related to their career (Point A), personal happiness (Point B), or relationships (Point C).

  2. God's Concern vs. Their Concern: Ask them to reflect on whether they believe that God cares about their concerns as much as they do, less than they do, or more than they do.

  3. Matthew 6:25-34: Read Matthew 6:25-34 together.

  4. Prioritize God's Kingdom: Discuss the importance of prioritizing seeking God's Kingdom (Point A+D+E) in their life. Help them understand that when they seek God's Kingdom and righteousness, God takes care of their needs (Point B +C).

  5. Trust God's Provision: Remind them that as they prioritize God's Kingdom, everything else becomes easier because they are placing their trust in God's provision.

  6. Encouragement: Encourage and reassure them that God cares deeply about their concerns and is eager to guide and provide for them as they seek His Kingdom.

  7. Prayer: Conclude by praying together, asking God to grant them the wisdom and strength to prioritize His Kingdom, to trust in His care, and to find peace and contentment in His provision.

Stay salty, my friends.​