Kingdom

I wonder if you have every realized that God's kingdom is already here? I know that is a huge statement, but I believe that it is and can be more real. We all grew up in a culture, in a tribe, that has taught us that we get "saved" and then we count the days until we get to be in God's kingdom from either death or Jesus returning. However, Jesus told us that he came to bring the kingdom right here and right now.

Jesus, grilled by the Pharisees on when the kingdom of God would come, answered, "The kingdom of God doesn't come by counting the days on the calendar. Nor when someone says, 'Look here!' or, 'There it is!' And why? Because God's kingdom is already among you."
John 17:20-21

What if we truly lived out the teaching of Jesus in every way that he taught? Would it not mean that the kingdom of God would be here among us? We would and can love like Christ, forgive each other, care for each other, and but into practice the truths that Christ taught. These truths are not truths that will happen one day when Jesus comes back, or when we die and get to be in heaven. These are promises and truths that can happen in this world. The Holy Spirit is with us. God is with us. We have a set of beliefs and actions that need to be applied in every situation that we are in. Every means every - being all possible. As Christians I think that we "give up" all too easily and say "well I can never be like Christ." So we do not even try. We just sit and wait for Jesus to return, to elect people who can make it better with legislation they can pass, or die after gaining enough stuff to have fun with. We do not apply the lessons, the teachings, the way of Jesus right here to bring the kingdom and make it real right now. Jesus told us that the kingdom was made real with him, not only his death, but his daily actions of forgiveness, love, and compassion.

Stop looking for some time in the future for the kingdom to get here. Stop counting the days until you die or that you can predict when Jesus will come. Start living the way of Jesus today. Stop wasting your time and talents that were given to you to use here and now! Bring the kingdom to all those around you!

Namaste'