Part 1 of 2 blogs written by Mike Verkaik

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  (Matthew 6:33)

Below is a young man’s story who has exemplified for me Matthew 6:33. His journey has been a demonstration of an unwavering focus on seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness above all his earthly pursuits.  May it inspire and remind us again that true devotion involves not just desiring to be an active participant in God’s kingdom but actively pursuing it through faith, sacrifice, and love.

Albert is fifteen and for the last two years has lived in a motel room with his mom, and two older sisters. In his young life he has seen and experienced more of the hardships of our broken world than many other adults will encounter in their life time. Yet, as I witnessed his response to these experiences and painful events, they did not draw him in, but began to cultivate a resilient, deep desire to understand and experience his Father’s love and identity through Jesus.

Car rides to and from work and events provided opportunities for meaningful conversations about God and cultivating a personal relationship with Him. These shared discussions revealed his deep desire, pursuit and curiosity to know and understand more the depth of His Father’s love for him and the relationship God was pursuing with him.

About six weeks before this past Kingdom Encounter to South Africa, Albert unexpectedly asked me, “ Mike, can I go to South Africa with you?” My initial thoughts were that it would be wonderful, but do you know all the obstacles in your way, given your limited resources, and what makes a 15 year old boy think he can go to South Africa?”

As we discussed the list of hurdles and challenges he would encounter to have the possibility to join the team, nothing discouraged him. So I asked him,  “Why do you want to go, Albert?”His response confirmed my desire to help and showed his desire for a deeper relationship with God. “I receive a lot of help from others, I would like to serve others instead, and after hearing about the trip, I would like to grow more in my relationship with Jesus.” In response, I turned the car off the familiar path home and said, “Okay Albert, let’s cross off the first hurdle, you will need to get a passport picture, it’s on me.”

That conversation began the amazing story of a young man’s persistent pursuit of desiring more of God’s kingdom and his righteousness.  The path he traveled was turbulent as he needed approval from the school to take exams early,  and a birth certificate confiscated by the storage facility, due to missed payments, needed to be reissued from his birth city 150 miles away. Then his mom would need documentation of full custody that was also lost in the box confiscated by the storage company, and lastly, apply for a expedited passport, which would hopefully arrive in time.

His Burger King pay check could have covered the cost of his passport, however, there were other obligations. It was his week to purchase gas in the family car. Also his special need’s sister, a high school senior, desired to attend her first prom, so Albert felt led to purchase the dress. No problem, no complaints from Albert, he’d just settle in two weeks. “Mike”, he said, “ I think if I give my next two pay checks I will have another $400 to give. If people support me more than I need, is there someone else who might still need assistance?”

Albert’s actions and statements were organically revealing his compassionate and trusting heart. From the sideline it seemed only through naivety he resisted discouragement and setback, but the truth is in his pursuit of this Kingdom Encounter, he attacked each hurdle with prayer, determination and a belief that as he sought the kingdom, all these things would be given to him as well (vs. 33b), and God did.

What are you currently running after? I found this list in my notes a while back. It is a good benchmark to keep me running in the right direction, and I hope it is for you as well. Thank you Albert for showing me what an active participant in God’s kingdom looks like.

Keys to seeking first His Kingdom:

1. Develop a heart for God and His holiness…
2. Obey His commands and precepts out of reverence, not obligation. …
3. Put His interests above your own. …
4. Devote yourself to prayer, His Word, fellowship and proclaiming the gospel. …
5. Wait upon the LORD in faith, trust and humility.