I gave my life to Christ back in the 1990s as a young believer. But after moving to the UK, life moved on quickly. Like so many others, I got married, had children, and focused on building a life and providing for my family.
For over twenty years I lived very much in my own strength. Even though I still saw myself as a Christian, my relationship with God slowly became distant. I was busy chasing life — working long hours, trying to tick all the boxes, and doing what I thought a man was supposed to do.
What’s remarkable is how all of this happened without me even realising how far I was sliding. To many people, both believers and non-believers, it looked like I was doing well. From the outside, it appeared I had my life together.
Even as my weight increased dramatically and I developed multiple health conditions that required several medications, it somehow felt normal. While I was getting some results in certain areas, I was slowly decaying on the inside without noticing.
During those years I became passionate about personal development. I studied extensively across the four key areas of life — health and nutrition, relationships and human behaviour, business, finance and investing, and spiritual growth. I was constantly consuming knowledge, feeding my mind every day.
I knew many of these principles were built on biblical truths. When I heard them, I would often think, “That’s from Proverbs” or “That’s in the Bible.” But I had to learn the hard way that
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)
Knowing the truth is not the same as building your life on the Source of that truth. I had knowledge, but I lacked wisdom.
Some of these things actually started to help me. I was able to come off several medications and saw success in business and investments. Yet despite these wins, my weight continued to increase and my most important relationships suffered greatly.
It was only in the painful season that followed that I finally began to see things more clearly. Over the next few years, even while going through deep personal struggles, I discovered God again in a fresh and powerful way.
Looking back now, I can clearly see God’s hand in it all. Thankfully, none of the knowledge I gained was wasted. God is now redeeming it all by building everything on the right foundation — Him.
Everything begins here.
Not with better strategies. Not with self-improvement. Not with working harder. Everything begins with one radical, non-negotiable decision — to seek first the Kingdom of God.
Jesus didn’t make this a suggestion for the spiritually mature. He made it a clear command for all who would follow Him:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
This is the starting point and the foundation of the entire blueprint. If this is not in place, everything else we discuss will eventually collapse.
For years I treated God as an important part of my life — but not the centre of my life. I tried to fit Him around my ambitions, my schedule, and my responsibilities. The result was constant stress, shallow victories, and a soul that always felt empty.
The truth is simple but costly: You cannot build a life of restful growth while God remains in second, third, or fourth place. He will not bless what you consistently put before Him.
This decision to seek first the Kingdom means surrendering your plans, your timing, and your agenda. It means trusting that if you put Him first, He will take care of what matters most to you.
As David wrote:
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
This is not a formula to get what you want. It is an invitation to make God Himself your greatest desire. When He becomes your treasure, everything else begins to find its proper place.
Everything in this blueprint — every area of victory, every principle, every step — flows from this one decision.
Seek first the Kingdom. Build on the Rock. Abide in the Vine.
Everything else will be added.