Reflections of a Young Pilgrim

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

As I first set out to write this blog, it’s purpose was mainly so I could enjoy myself as I wrote down my random thoughts and shared them with other people. I was born with a certain self-centered condition that’s common among humans; namely, I enjoy telling people what I think. xD Whenever I stumble upon a great laugh, show, music track, or life lesson, I like to run to someone and tell them about it. Yet something about creating a blog like that bothered me…

I couldn’t help notice that list (laughs, tv shows, music, and God’s life lessons) included a lot of personal hobbies that *I* enjoy discussing, and God was last on that list. And the questions came up, Who would I be making a blog for? Why am I making a blog? Is this actually for a self-centered hobby?

You see, I understand that starting any project myself without God’s blessing on it first is futile. There’s been too many times where I’ve started something and never saw it through, because it was just a spur-of-the-moment thing or otherwise events caused it to die. And starting an online journal for the wrong reason could be the same thing. I really despise losing God’s intended best results from opportunities and blessings because I did something for the wrong reasons. It’s a basic life lesson… living to make yourself happy usually does the opposite; you always end up discontent. When the thrill passes, or you find it just wasn’t as worthy a goal as you imagined, then you trudge along half-heartedly or worse.

I need a life of victory. I want victory through Jesus. And remembering a life of shortcomings and self-induced disappointments, I didn’t want even this little project to end up being a sham. I really want God to be involved in every part of my life. Not because He blesses me and that makes me happy. Although that can add joyous moments, that’s not it. It’s because I love Him, since He loved me first, and I want to know His love. I want my soul to be entwined with His and be that close of a son, and have that close a loving relationship. I want to hunger and thirst for Him, be madly in love with my Lord in heaven… most everyone dreams of being loved by a person just completely and totally, and loving them back. Well I finally found someone who’ll stick by me, and has stuck with me for some reason for years; I finally found the Lord God. It’s why He made us in the first place. To have a relationship with Him.

So I asked those hard questions. I already knew that only God makes me really happy, and although I didn’t feel like thinking that way and wanted to just write whatever I felt like, I’ve already made my choice. So I asked Him to show me what he thought about this blog idea… “if it’s wrong Lord, please tell me. I feel like I just want to enjoy my hobbies to the fullest, while another part of me feels fear since that’s a doomed self-centered thought. But I know I don’t know how to think! I’m still learning. So tell me Lord, please. Tell me what you think. I know I’m so afraid, even in the smallest of things, but whatever you say I’ll go, and I’ll stop if you say no. Speak Lord, I’m listening.”

And this sentence entered into my head…

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

I knew this verse by heart. I can still hear the hymn being sung. And I repeated that verse a few more times and meditated on it.

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…” — Am I pursuing the Lord with all my heart right now? Am I trying to be righteous like him? Well… yes, I am seeking Him. That’s why I’m here right now, asking for some guidance.

“…and all these things shall be added unto you.” — Jesus in this chapter was talking about the things of the world (food, water, clothing, etc), and how God does happily bless us with things even from the world IF we seek Him out whole-heartedly. That is, if we really pursue a relationship with Him and try to get to know him. Jesus also says to pursue His righteousness and follow his example as much as possible, though I’d expect such a thirst if we’re seeking Him out and His kingdom.

So yes, I am seeking the Lord right now and He knows it. And yes, He does bless me even with things from the world, and although they can be about personal entertainment and enjoyment, it’s still His blessing and He wants us to enjoy it. He asks that we give him the praise for it though, because it’s not that we got these blessings of ourselves, but He deserves the acknowledgment and glory for it. Simply, fear not the things of the world or His blessings in the world, but keep God the center of your life by giving Him praise even in the blessings too. He did after all promise to add all these things unto us. He is a good Father who knows how to give good gifts to His children (Luke 11:13).

And then I understood, thanks to His revelation. My Lord doesn’t mind me making a journal blog, but instead of making it all about me, glorify Him in it instead. It’s fine to write down music or anime reviews or whatever random nonsense crosses my way, but it’s not difficult at all to also write the lessons He’s teaching almost every week too. Haha, in fact, I know I love talking about God! It’s why I will be attending Bible school soon, so I can use His gift of talking to minister and help others. I can easily thank God for my daily random moments, even if written online, or share with others my story (testimony) of what Jesus has done for me. It’s not hard at all to glorify and focus on my Lord even in everyday writings.

Thus, I finally know my blog’s purpose. And I know it’s blessed and I can be happy about it, because my Father is involved with it.

This blog will record my testimony and thoughts as I journey towards the kingdom of God. Though I’m still learning how to travel (being a very young pilgrim), I am not alone or guideless, and so look forward to the future while enjoying the divine randomness of the present. Whether it be God’s lessons on how to deal with life, enjoying a blessed time with family or friends, reviewing fantastical anime or music, or just sharing a random laugh He sent my way, it’s an exciting adventure that I’m living and I hope any readers will enjoy their time here too. I give thanks to the Lord for helping me write this journal, may the Holy Spirit guide each of us as we journey with Him and reflect on our pilgrim’s progress.