Why settle for the added thing when you can have the kingdom of God? That question occurred to me a few years ago when I was in the midst of a job search. It was evident I had outgrown my current role, and there did not seem to be any other openings within the organization. I had sent out my résumé to numerous contacts and even had an idea of where I wanted to work, but no opportunities were opening up. And while I was excited about the prospect of finding a new job, I felt a deep desire for something more.
So when the angel message about seeking God’s kingdom came to thought, I took time to really ponder it. The question reminded me of Christ Jesus’ command, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). What was Jesus really telling us to do? Why would we want to heed his advice? To answer these questions, it helps to understand what God’s kingdom and the “added things” are.
God’s kingdom is synonymous with the kingdom of heaven, which Mary Baker Eddy defines as “the reign of harmony in divine Science; the realm of unerring, eternal, and omnipotent Mind; the atmosphere of Spirit, where Soul is supreme” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 590). The kingdom of heaven is neither a physical location nor dependent on man or matter for its existence. God’s kingdom is entirely God-dependent, because it’s the consciousness of the infinite, divine Mind. It is what God is knowing and doing, and His government of it all.
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