On Wednesday morning, I sat in the cafeteria to accomplish some writing before the workday started. A colleague came over to say hello, and he ended up giving me excellent advice. He asked about my future plans, and I responded that I like to write about the Gospel and its connection with my life (like I do in these weekly devotionals) and with world issues, and that one day, I would like to speak regularly. I added that I was not confident that these are opportunities I can create for myself. I will certainly continue to write, read and study, but the opportunity to publish a book or speak at an event, for example, would need to be God-ordained.
He agreed that two elements are at work when dreams are realized: there is personal effort, and there is a God-ordained opportunity. Then, he offered wisdom I did not expect. “The most important factor,” he said, “is that you are a daughter of God first. When you are a daughter of God first, you don’t have to concern yourself with the writing and the preaching. Those will happen. Just be his daughter.”
When he said that, I pictured myself sitting at the feet of Jesus. I’m not doing anything particularly interesting. I’m just sitting there, thinking, praying, casually talking when something particular comes to mind, listening and writing. I don’t have an agenda. I’m not nagging Jesus about the next step I need to take in my life. I am not anxious about the future. We’re focused on friendship, and it is a peaceful existence.
My colleague was really talking about Matthew 6:33. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
When I seek his kingdom first, I don’t have to worry about the logistics and the plans and the steps and the dates and times that my dreams will become a reality. I only need to sit at God’s feet daily. To pray. To learn more about him. To love him better. To be a better friend and a better daughter.
Then, in time, what the Lord desires to happen will happen. But while I wait, I will continue to be faithful in the everyday: to work, study, write, and pray. To refine the skills he wants me to develop right now. To gain the knowledge and wisdom that will benefit me when those opportunities come my way.
When they do, I’ll be ready.
In Rachel's Words 
“When I seek his kingdom first, I don’t have to worry about the logistics and the plans and the steps and the dates and times that my dreams will become a reality. I only need to sit at God’s feet daily…” Amen!
Rachel,
We all have dreams and desires, things we want to achieve in this life. But I have learned that none would satisfy us in the absence of the Lord. Jesus overrides everything. The Prophet Habakkuk got it right—“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior. The sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of deer, he enables me to go on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:17-19).
Indeed, as your colleague brought to your attention, what Jesus wants for us is to be like Mary by avoiding Martha’s trap (Luke 10:38-42). What is interesting is that both sisters loved Jesus. Their differences, however, is enormous. Martha tried to express her love for Jesus in doing something for him and found herself busy that left her little room to receive form him—and resulted envying her sister who was receiving much from Jesus. On the opposite side, Mary demonstrated her love for Jesus by receiving from him; she was comfortable to let everything go and sat at the feet of Jesus. She was seeking Him, knowing that everything will be added to her. I am glad that this word of God (Matthew 6:33) is stirred in you. I know what it means because the Spirit of the Lord has stirred in me and for quite sometimes I have been driven by it.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and revelations about the things of God I always find meaning and purpose in them.
Peace & Joy,
Hailu.
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