What If We’re Wrong About Everything?
OK, maybe the title should be ‘what if I’m wrong about everything.’ The values of the kingdom of God define the ‘right side up’ life in an upside-down world. Too often I hold onto those old worldly values and miss what God has for me. See if you own at least some of these misperceptions.
Kingdom of the world thinking: We work in order to earn the money we need to do the things that bring us fulfillment and joy, such as vacations, leisure activities and eventually retirement.
Kingdom of God thinking: Our work is the source of our greatest fulfillment and joy. God created us to work in partnership with Him regardless of our vocation. All work is sacred when it is done for His glory, and therefore it is fulfilling, joyful and an act of pure worship.
Kingdom of the world thinking: We enter into the ‘battles’ in life so that once we have won, once we have succeeded, we can enjoy the abundant life God promised us.
Kingdom of God thinking: The abundant life is found in the battle. It is when we are most fully engaged in the struggle for truth, righteousness, justice and faith that we are most fully alive in Christ. Success is not in winning the battles but in engaging in them even more fully and faithfully.
Kingdom of the world thinking: If God would change the things around me that are painful, frustrating and hard I would really be happy, which is what God desires for me.
Kingdom of God thinking: If God would change me so that in every painful, frustrating and hurtful experience I could see His hand at work and be used by Him as an agent of peace, reconciliation and truth, I would really be content, which is what God desires for me.
Any of these sound familiar? Can you add some of your own?
“He who finds his life will lose it. He who loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39
