"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles fee after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:31-33

I have head, read, and recited these verses more times than I can count on my hands, but I am just now beginning to understand how to apply this to my life. I had the amazing opportunity to go on a mission trip to Zimbabwe this past summer, and that is when this passage started to click for me.

The people over there have so little, yet they worship God with so much joy in their hearts.

They may not know what they are going to eat that night for dinner, or if they will have clothes for their quickly growing child, but nevertheless they pursue the Lord with all they have, trusting that he will provide what they need.

While this is a beautiful picture and example that these people painted for me, I still thought to myself "How in the world does this apply to me?"

I have been so fortunate to live in a stable environment where I don't have to worry that I have food on my plate or clothes to keep me warm. I have had everything I could ever need and more.

While I don't have these third world problems to deal with, I still work up anxiety worrying about things. I worry about what my major is supposed to be. I worry about who I am supposed to marry. I worry about what job opportunities I might have after I graduate.

I worry about so many minute details of this world when my priority should be seeking after God's righteousness.

Rather than getting caught up in world things such as having the cutest clothes or the nicest car, my eyes should be set on Jesus. Striving to achieve righteousness by following him. Worshipping him with everything in me because of his goodness. Praising him for what he has done for me, and what he will do.

I have gone for so long not understanding this familiar passage, but the Lord has been so faithful in my life recently and is revealing to me the true value of relentlessly chasing after him above everything else.