Matthew
6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and
his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Mike came into our program
with severe depression problems for which he was on medication. Six months into
his program he gave up his medications believing he did not need them anymore.
He graduated five months later and became an assistant manager in our Thrift
Store. After a year he was doing well without his medication and had excelled
in his job to become Store Manager. Then I got a phone call from Mike’s
co-worker saying that Mike was not doing well, seemed depressed and was
thinking of quitting his job.
I called Mike in to talk. He
explained to me how he was now feeling and that he didn’t think he wanted to
keep working with us. Finally I asked him if he was still going to church. He
said sometimes. I asked if he prayed or read his Bible. He said a couple of
days a week. I inquired of his friends and fellowship at church, had he anyone
to talk to. Mike said he did not have the time for others because he was tired
after work. The problem with Mike was clear.
Our top priority is to seek
God in our daily life. The means of grace, the tools that God gives us to stay
in contact with him are four-fold. First, we are to read the Bible. It is God’s
word to us. The pages of Scripture speak to our physical, emotional and
spiritual needs. It educates us and guides us in our daily choices and
activities. Second to this is prayer. Daily, if not hourly, we are to remain in
contact with our Dad, God the Father. He
wants to hear from us as if we were calling home on a Sunday afternoon. He
listens, he responds.
Worship is the third
spoke in the wheel of life. Giving him praise and glory helps us keep our
proper perspective as His sons and daughters in loving relationship daily.
Finally, we need to maintain Christian fellowship. The people who are on the
same narrow road as us contribute meaning, comfort, wisdom and fulfillment to
our life journey home.
