God's design for you as His child is not for you to pursue material things; He rather wants material things to pursue you (Deuteronomy 28:2, Psalm 23:6, Isaiah 60). When you pursue material things, you will use up so much effort, strength, wisdom and resources. Even after realising your goals, you might still not be satisfied. Do you know that if God is not behind your pursuit, time and again the goal posts can be shifted, thereby making the realisation of your dreams a mirage? There is someone reading this devotional who is in this very situation. Every year, you have continued to pursue a particular goal without success. Sometimes it appears within your reach, but before long, it becomes unattainable. Your goal keeps eluding you because you forsook your relationship with God to pursue your personal desire. If you can return fully to God today and remain with Him, you will suddenly realise that what you have been pursuing all these years is already in your hands.

A look at Matthew 6:24-33 reveals to us certain truths. First, God knows your needs. He does not need you to tell Him before He realises what you need. When God brings you into a new year, He definitely knows you and your family need food for 365 days, a roof over your head, clothing, transportation, energy and water, etc. He even knows the needs that you yourself have not yet identified. He does not just take a global but an eternal view over you and all that is yours. Also, He is interested in how you meet those needs. Those who do not know God have a way of meeting their own needs which is at variance with God's plans. The godless pursue material things at the expense of a personal relationship with God. If you are a bona fide child of God yet pursuing material things, then you are living like the godless. To simplify things for His people, God designed that we should pursue Him, and not things. He wants us to make Him our first priority in all that we do. As we seek Him, He will cause those things the godless are busy chasing after to come effortlessly to us. This year, stop being wise in your own eyes! Seek God as never before. Put Him first. Give Him time every day. Thank Him, praise Him, worship Him and obey Him. When you do all these, you will realise at the end of the year that your achievements have exceeded your expectations.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.