The daffodils are growing in front of our house. In a month they will be bright yellow. Except for the ones that are white. Except for the ones that are pastel yellow. There will be more than last year. We didn’t plant the extra ones. [Note: this wasn’t written in February].

The finches will be back soon. They will be joining the robins. They will be followed by the hummingbirds. We will feed them. But we can take no credit for them.

When people think of birds and flowers and Jesus, the ornery among us think about how they die, how some of them starve in the winter, how the flowers are often not vivid. We listen to Jesus talking about taking care of flowers and birds, about food and clothing, and we think that he falls short.

I don’t think Jesus was talking about botany or ornithology. He was talking about attention.

What do we invest your attention in?

Jesus suggests some things to not invest it in. Don’t invest it in worry. Don’t invest it in wondering whether God knows (He does know). Don’t invest it in what you have already asked God for (This teaching comes right after having asked God for our daily bread. Having asked for that, Jesus says, don’t worry about how the Father will do it).

What do we pay attention to? What God is doing.

Jesus says to routinely seek the Kingdom as the first priority. To listen for and look for the way of living that is found there. Be part of what will last forever and get dressed in the righteous clothes. And then, Jesus says, the rest will follow. The food and drink and clothing that are needed.

Here’s the new routine: Ask God what part of his Kingdom he wants you to seek right now. And seek it. And ask. And seek. And ask. And seek.

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From Learning a new routine. Reading the Sermon on the Mount a little bit at a time