'What Comes First: A Reflection on Priorities and Trust"
Psychologist Abraham Maslow developed a hierarchy of needs—physiological, safety, belonging, esteem, and self-actualization—that explain human motivation. His concept of hierarchy of needs is that people can’t think about spiritual needs until all the other needs are met. Jesus turned that on its head. Jesus told them to ‘seek first the Kingdom of God’, not second, third, fourth, or once everything else is in order. He said first. Jesus knew these universal human needs. He wasn’t dismissing them, but getting them in the right order. Rick Warren says, “What gets our attention gets us.”
"Do I have enough?" This question consumed the minds of those who gathered on the hillside to hear Jesus speak—their worries visibly etched on their faces as they wondered about clothes, food, shelter, relationships, and security. Jesus acknowledged these concerns when he observed that "the pagans run after all these things," recognizing that such anxieties are part of the universal human condition regardless of background or circumstance. These worries are not unique to any culture or era—they transcend race, gender, nationality, and language. What is distinctive is not the presence of these concerns but their placement in our hierarchy of priorities. When these material needs dominate our thoughts, they consume our sleep, drain our energy, and dampen our spirits.
"Am I enough?" This deeper question emerges when we examine what occupies our minds at the beginning of each day. For many, the first moments of consciousness are dedicated not to spiritual reflection but to digital consumption. The smartphone alarm clock epidemic has created a reality where over 80% of people check their phones within 15 minutes of waking, before their feet even hit the floor. Our morning digital routine—checking news, social media, emails, and other platforms—reveals our true priorities more honestly than our stated values. By initiating our day with digital inputs rather than spiritual connection, we unconsciously declare what we trust most for guidance, affirmation, and security.
This misplacement of priorities is creating a generation experiencing unprecedented anxiety. The CDC reports that 44% of high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021, compared to 26% in 2009. These alarming statistics embody Jesus's warning about seeking material things first rather than God's kingdom. In the face of mounting pressures, Jesus doesn't offer empty platitudes like "Don't worry, be happy." Instead, he provides concrete examples of God's care for creation—pointing to flowers, birds, and the natural world as evidence of divine provision. His message is clear: if God attends to these, how much more will He provide for His children?
Like the Israelites of Elijah's time, we need constant reminders of God's faithfulness, provision, and power. This is why God instructed them to make pillars, pile up rocks, and build altars to commemorate miracles, God’s presence, and victories—physical reminders of God’s faithfulness. Our memories are far too short, easily overwhelmed by immediate concerns rather than eternal promises. By intentionally placing God first in our thoughts each morning, we declare our trust in His provision, finding that when the kingdom of God becomes our primary concern, everything else—including our anxieties about having enough and being enough—falls into proper perspective. What comes first to our minds determines not just our day, but our entire approach to life's challenges.
Blessings,
Jonathan