October Reflection — Week Two

During the first week of reflection, I looked at myself and a situation through the lens of love. This week, I was prompted to consider another word: seek.

The first Bible verse that came to mind was Matthew 6:33. It is familiar to me—one I have memorized. In the New International Version, it reads:

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Jesus spoke these words during the Sermon on the Mount. He was teaching His disciples, with a crowd also listening. In this part of His teaching, He addressed worry about food, drink, and clothing. He reminded His listeners that their heavenly Father knew what they needed. His words directed them toward trust.

While I understood the invitation to trust, I wanted to be clearer about the seeking part. So I spent time studying and meditating on the word.

Seeking First

As I considered seek, words such as pursue and search came to mind. The Greek form used in this verse is zēteite, from the verb zēteō, meaning to seek or look for. Paired with first, it directs our attention toward a priority: God’s kingdom and His righteousness.

For me, that means actively seeking God’s way of living and doing what is right in His sight. It asks something of my attention, my choices, and my time.

Another Scripture came to mind: Jeremiah 29:13.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13, NIV

Jeremiah included these words in a letter to the people carried into exile in Babylon. He was sharing the Lord’s message with them. The promise belonged to a larger message about their eventual restoration. Even in exile, they could turn toward God, pray, and seek Him.

As I reflect on that passage, I hear an invitation to seek wholeheartedly.

These Scriptures come from different circumstances, yet both direct my attention toward seeking God. In Matthew, Jesus speaks of putting God’s kingdom and righteousness first while trusting the Father for daily provision. In Jeremiah, God promises that His exiled people will find Him when they seek Him with all their heart.

I see blessings in both: God’s provision and the promise of finding Him. Seeking Him draws my attention toward His ways and helps me recognize what He provides.

Is there room for more blessings in my life?

Am I seeking God as a priority, wholeheartedly?

Looking for Evidence

I began to understand why I had been prompted to study seek. The next step was to look for evidence in my own life.

Perhaps these questions will help you reflect, too.

How consistently do I pray?

How consistently do I meditate on God’s Word?

How consistently do I seek God and remain attentive to His blessings?

What actions will help me move from where I am now toward where I desire to be?

Recognizing that something needs to change is a significant step. Then comes the practice that gives our intentions a place in daily life.

Research offers a useful connection here. In two studies published in 2022, researchers found that practicing a chosen behavior in a consistent setting was associated with stronger habits and greater success in meeting repetition goals. Those studies examined everyday habits, rather than spiritual growth. Still, they prompted me to consider how a regular time and place might support my intention to seek God.

What activities draw my attention away from seeking God?

Simply identifying those activities gives me somewhere to begin. Replacing one of them with time for prayer, reflection, or Bible study gives that intention an action.

Making Room for Grace

As I make these changes, I also want to remember that God knows me fully. He knows my limitations, my distractions, and the places where I still need to grow.

I can pursue faithfulness while allowing room to learn, make mistakes, and return.

Perfectionism can make that return harder. If every missed day becomes evidence that I have failed, I may spend more energy condemning myself than taking the next faithful step.

A review of 43 studies involving 9,838 participants found that perfectionistic concerns—such as fear of mistakes and harsh self-evaluation—were associated with greater burnout. Striving for high standards did not show the same pattern. That distinction matters to me: I can take my commitments seriously without demanding flawless performance.

When I miss a planned time, I can acknowledge it and begin again.

This Week’s Reflection

Using your journal, or another method you prefer, write down three things you will do this coming week that give evidence you are a seeker.

Make each action specific enough that you will know when you have done it.

My list includes arranging my bedtime and morning routines so that I have designated time each day for consistent prayer, meditation, and Bible study.

I say that with the understanding that if I miss a day or a scheduled time, I can get back on track at the next opportunity.

I know that God loves me. His love and grace carry me as I learn to respond more faithfully to His instruction.

This week, I want to make room in my daily life for wholehearted seeking—and remain attentive to the blessings of His presence, guidance, and provision.

What will wholehearted seeking look like in your life this week?

The map shows me what is. The lantern guides what I choose next.

Sources

1. Matthew 6:33 and surrounding context, NIV: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A25-34&version=NIV
2. Sermon audience: Matthew 5:1–2 and 7:28–29.
3. Greek text and morphology: https://biblehub.com/text/matthew/6-33.htm
4. Jeremiah 29, NIV: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+29&version=NIV
5. Stojanovic, M., Grund, A., & Fries, S. (2022). Context Stability in Habit Building Increases Automaticity and Goal Attainment. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 883795. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.883795
6. Hill, A. P., & Curran, T. (2016). Multidimensional Perfectionism and Burnout: A Meta-Analysis. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 20(3), 269–288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868315596286