Yes, It Is Nothing
But what does this
mean, what am I to do,
or what is the effort
that can be said to seek,
to aspire to God’s kingdom?
Shall I see about getting
a position commensurate
with my talents and abilities
in order to be effective in it?
No, you shall first seek God’s kingdom.
Shall I give all my possessions to the poor?
No, you shall first seek God’s kingdom.
Shall I then go out and proclaim this doctrine to the world?
No, you shall first seek God’s kingdom.
But then in a certain sense it is nothing I shall do?
Yes, quite true,
in a certain sense
it is nothing.
In the deepest sense
you shall make yourself
nothing,
become nothing
before God,
learn to be silent.
In this silence
is the beginning,
which is to seek first
God’s kingdom.
(From “Look at the Birds, Look at the Lily,” by Kierkegaard, included in Without Authority, translated by Howard & Edna Hong; italics in original.)