God's Kingdom

In our big celebration last week, Bishop Kendrick referred to both God's Kingdom and God's dream. The dream was tied to Jesus' prayer that we might be one, that is joined in unity rather than disunity.  And though we talk about God's Kingdom all the time, I wonder how much we really know about it or are willing to live into it these days?

This question almost always spurns me toward a future oriented glance and answer--just what does God's Kingdom look like? But, I don't think that is the proper orientation.  What is it about our faith life that always has us focusing on "tomorrow" rather than today? Why do we so easily put our eggs in a heavenly reward while ignoring the opportunities of today, right now?

In counter-intuitive fashion, the answer to this question is the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed and baking yeast.  Both start small and are part of transforming ordinary elements into a great yield. We are meant then to look at our own lives: are we willing to be faithful in the small things so that greater yields may come from our actions?

Martin Luther used the image of two Kingdoms for God's reign: the earthly kingdom of governmental authorities and the heavenly kingdom where the faithful become part of transforming the world. Most of us no longer face a backlash against practicing our faith while being dutiful citizens of this world. But, it does the leave me wondering which world I am most comfortably nestled in:  civic affairs and politics or the unfolding of God's kingdom in grace?

When I asked my husband what he thinks of when he hears the phrase "Kingdom of God" he said "heaven." Yet, in scripture I hear Jesus saying time and again: the Kingdom is with you, now.  Is the Kingdom of God different then the Kingdom of Heaven?  Scripture scholars have made loose distinctions between a millennial kingdom (a future oriented reality) and a universal kingdom (present reality) but the terms seem to be used equally, interchangeably by Mark and Luke.  Matthew is the only writer to use the term "kingdom of heaven." (Kingdom of God occurs 68 times in many New Testament books while Kingdom of Heaven only occurs in Matthew, 32 times).

So, if the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, yeast, even justice, then what are we to do with these images?  What do they imply for our lives today?  

If I am actively engaged in being a part of God's Kingdom, then my actions will convey the change I wish to see in the world.  Instead of a far away ethereal heaven, I now have a charge, a sacred duty, an honored mission to seek in my corner of the world.  I think this is a radical change for the way Christianity has traditionally groomed its adherents.  Instead of leaning toward a promising future (which will be as God wills it to be in perfection), then why not focus on today, focus on serenity:  God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference!

It seems this Way of the Kingdom of God leads to a wholeness and a life of significance that we crave. Beyond the fear of meaninglessness, the anxiety of our unsettled struggle within ourselves, we have been given the opportunity to be emptied, to be other-oriented, to be the freedom we seek. Will we take part? Will we opt for the familiar and abandon the challenge? Is it too much work? 

What must I do to be open and transformed for a life of significance? What shape must my journey take today to yield Kingdom results? Important questions not only for today, but for who we are, who we hope to be on Easter morning and beyond.

A prayer from Walter Brueggemann:

We yearn, in every season, for your presence;

We know that our hearts will be restless, until they rest in you;

We are like deer who seek a watering hole in the drought;

We hear invitations for "all who are weary and heavy-laden..."

And approach to you seems ready and easy.

Truth to tell, we do pant restlessly,

but not always for you.

Sometimes, instead for security

or sex and beer and sports,

or power and success,

or beauty and acceptance...not seeking you.

Truth to tell, we know you to be no easy mark,

with your rigorous entrance requirements

of blamelessness, truth-telling, no bribes,

and all manner of neighborliness.

We yearn for you in every season,

making you too easy, imagining you too difficult,

bewildered and unsure until you give yourself concretely to us...

as you have done and as you do.

Amen.