Before the Plans, the Priority: Starting the Year by Seeking God First
A Matthew 6:33 New Year Series
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
A new year brings more than a change of calendar—it invites evaluation. We pause, reflect, and begin asking quiet questions about direction, purpose, and growth. Many approach this season eager to set goals but unsure where to begin. Jesus offers a starting point that reframes the entire process: seek first.
Matthew 6:33 is not a rejection of planning; it is a reordering of priority. Before goals are written or strategies formed, Jesus calls us to place God at the center. When the priority is right, the plans that follow are grounded, purposeful, and lasting.
The Setting of the Promise: Jesus Speaks to Anxious Hearts
Jesus spoke these words during the Sermon on the Mount to people burdened by daily concerns—food, clothing, work, and survival. Anxiety about provision was common, just as it is today. Rather than offering a checklist for success, Jesus addressed the root issue: misplaced focus.
He taught that worry often arises when responsibility replaces trust. By saying, “seek first the kingdom of God,” Jesus redirected attention from control to confidence in the Father. This principle is echoed elsewhere in Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6, NKJV). Direction flows from trust, not self-reliance.
What It Means to “Seek”: Intention, Not Emotion
The word “seek” comes from the Greek zēteō, meaning to pursue earnestly, to strive after with intention. This is not a fleeting desire or emotional moment. It describes an active, ongoing pursuit that shapes decisions and habits.
To seek God is to orient life toward Him. Scripture reinforces this posture: “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV). Written to a people in exile, this promise affirmed that God responds to sincere pursuit, even in seasons of uncertainty.
Seeking God, then, involves more than prayerful moments—it is a lifestyle of attentiveness to His will.
Why “First” Is a Matter of Priority, Not Sequence
The word “first” comes from the Greek prōton, meaning foremost in importance. Jesus was not instructing His listeners to check God off a list before moving on to “real life.” He was calling them to establish God’s supremacy.
This truth is reinforced in Scripture: “But now having been set free from sin and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life” (Romans 6:22, NKJV). When God holds first place, everything else is ordered accordingly.
As the year begins, the question is not simply what we plan, but what governs our plans.
How Do We Seek God First? Starting with the Right Goals
Seeking God first becomes practical when it shapes our goals. Before writing ambitions related to career, finances, or productivity, Scripture invites us to ask deeper questions. Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you… for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4–5, NKJV). Fruitfulness begins with connection.
Here are a few ways seeking God first can shape New Year goals:
Spiritual Priority Goals: Commit to consistent time in Scripture and prayer—not out of obligation, but desire. Even small, faithful rhythms cultivate awareness of God’s voice.
Character-Focused Goals: Instead of only achievement-based goals, ask God to grow humility, patience, faith, and obedience. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22–23, NKJV).
Boundary Goals: Seek God about what needs limits—time, relationships, distractions—so spiritual growth is protected.
Purpose Alignment Goals: Ask how your work, gifts, and time can reflect God’s kingdom values, not merely personal success.
This approach reflects the wisdom of Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans” (NIV). Commitment precedes clarity.
The Promise of Provision and Peace
Jesus ends Matthew 6:33 with assurance: “All these things shall be added to you.” This is not a promise of excess, but of sufficiency. God knows our needs and honors the right priority.
David echoes this truth in Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Written during a time when the righteous seemed overlooked, this verse reveals that delighting in God reshapes what we desire. As our hearts align with His, our goals become purer and more purposeful.
This article begins a short New Year series centered on Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 6:33 to seek God first. Over the coming weeks, we will explore how this timeless principle shapes some of the most significant areas of daily life—including our work and calling, our health and wholeness, and our personal growth and character. The aim of this series is not simply to help us set better goals, but to form God-centered priorities—allowing faith to guide our plans, habits, and decisions throughout the year ahead.
An Invitation for the Year Ahead
As you begin this year, consider pausing before planning. Invite God into the process. Ask Him to order your priorities, refine your goals, and guide your steps. Seeking Him first is not about perfection—it is about direction.
If you would like ongoing encouragement in aligning faith and daily life, you are warmly invited to subscribe to the EXCEL2FAITH Newsletter at www.excel2faith.com, where spiritual growth and practical wisdom meet.
Few books have shaped modern Christian living as profoundly as The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I’ve reviewed this book many times over the years, and its message remains just as powerful today as when it was first published. It is a book that gently but firmly reorients the heart—reminding readers that life finds its deepest meaning when it begins with God, not self.
At its core, The Purpose Driven Life invites readers to ask the right questions before setting goals or chasing success. That emphasis aligns beautifully with the theme of Before the Plans, the Priority, which reminds us, as in Matthew 6:33, to seek God first. Warren’s writing consistently returns to this truth: clarity, peace, and direction flow from placing God at the center of our lives.
What makes this book especially impactful is its practical wisdom paired with biblical depth. It doesn’t rush transformation; it walks readers through it. That’s why it’s such a strong book to start the year with—it grounds ambition in purpose and planning in prayer.
If you’re looking for a meaningful read that complements a God-centered approach to goal setting, this book is well worth your time.
Consider purchasing The Purpose Driven Life today and allow its message to guide your year. For continued encouragement and faith-filled insight, subscribe to the EXCEL2FAITH Newsletter at www.excel2faith.com.
Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts, desiring to place You first in every area of our lives. Teach us to seek Your kingdom above our plans, quiet our anxious striving, and align our desires with Your perfect will. As we walk into each day, draw us closer through prayer, Your Word, and a growing trust in Your guidance. May our relationship with You deepen as we learn to depend on You—not just for provision, but for direction, peace, and purpose.