“[Jesus] said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.  For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing…Instead, strive for God’s kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”   (Luke 12: 22-23, 31)

What are you striving for? 

Maybe it would help if we knew what it meant to strive for something. 

STRIVE means: to exert oneself vigorously; to try hard.

By that definition, a lot of people at CV have been striving to enjoy summer to its fullest!  And that’s not all bad.  People are striving at work.   Others are striving to raise kids; which means striving to get kids to all of their activities on time, with food in their stomach (or bag) and clean clothes on their bodies.  There are others who are striving to cheer on the Twins, improve their golf game, catch a bigger fish, help their team win the tournament, or make VBS and the Garage Sale both big successes.

We all strive for a lot of things, but Jesus tells us that the most important thing is striving for God’s kingdom!  Striving for the kingdom of God is not primarily about deeds and actions, but about having a Christ-centered attitude, intention, and focus.

Here’s a true story that illustrates how, with a Christ-centered attitude, intention, and focus, golfing can become a striving for the kingdom of God!  A group of guys go golfing together.  They invite a friend from church to be a substitute.  While golfing they start talking about some events coming up at church, specifically the pancake breakfast after a Sunday Worship Service.  “Hey, why don’t you come and help us with the pancake breakfast, we’d love to have you!”  Their friend agrees and not only is a great helper, but has a good time serving the community of faith, and shows some interest in getting involved with the Men’s Ministry of the church.

With a Christ-centered attitude, intention, and focus your softball team becomes a small group ministry of the church striving for the kingdom of God, even if you don’t make it to the playoffs.  With a Christ-centered attitude, intention, and focus your work at the office and at home raising kids and nurturing your family becomes a striving for the kingdom of God.  With a Christ-centered attitude, intention, and focus the Garage Sale becomes more than just selling stuff for the church, it becomes an opportunity for building friendships, new relationships, and serving our neighbors from near and far.

What are you going to strive for this fall?  As for me, I am going to strive for the kingdom of God.  Let’s strive together!