The Kingdom is Here!!

You know what I love about being a Christian in a world where it doesn't seem to fit? I mean - I know we're all looking forward to a time when pain and death don't exist anymore. That's kind of a dream we hold onto for our future. But there's something about the "now".

Jesus kept talking about the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven - and we often see it as that future place! But he would say things like "Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near!" Matthew 4:17 and "... the Kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21 And as he taught his disciples how to pray, he included "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10.

This was something more than a request for a future reward, without the curse of this one! This was about revolution! This was about a message that would change the existing world from the inside out!! It was about a spreading flame of hope and courage and integrity that would change the lives of those it touched, so that they would then light up the darkness around them, and like ripples on the water, carry that kingdom further and further around the world. This was transformation for us right here! And the more of us that carried that light of hope, lifting up those around them, the more widespread would be it's effects!!

This is the Kingdom of Love in action!! Changing the world that we live in right now!! And all those who choose Jesus as our king, are already living in that kingdom (even though we are not perfect yet - and sometimes we look a mess!). We are living out that prayer that Jesus prayed right back then!! The vision that he saw that was his mission!!! To bring the Kingdom of Heaven here - right now - where we are!! And give life and hope and uplifting love to everyone we come in contact with!!

The Kingdom of God/Heaven is not just a place to come!!! It's here! Right now!! In you and me!! If we all understood that, and lived it! what a warmer world this would be!!!

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