A Kingdom Reaction

The other day, someone posted on social media, longing for a convenience store that is --so far-- only located in the area in which he grew up. Whether for the nostalgia or for the once delicious pretzels (sans the recent addition of a ridiculous number of preservatives, I would imagine), I didn't ask; but I began to wonder, What if he was given the opportunity to open a franchise in his area? It would be like bringing a slice of home to someplace home is not. Over the years, a couple of our children have set out on paths that have taken them far from home. From time to time, I sent items or words of encouragement to remind them that home was in their hearts. Home is an important thing to have near you. Or, think of Disney World, "The Happiest Place on Earth" (or the most insidious, IMHO). What if Disney was going to open up a new park right in your town? It would bring all the glitter and fantasy and excitement to the place where you are! I mean, if Disney was really as wholesome as it'd like people to think it is, that would be wonderful! World-renown happiness and adventure right in your neighborhood! Happiness and adventure are nice to have close by.

As believers, we are to work to bring the kingdom of God to earth. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10) What does that look like in the practical sense? Is it like a taste of home? a place for which we long, one that provides us with security in identity, a place that tethers us to foundational hope but allows us to soar into the farthest reaches of that hope? Or is the kingdom like the epitomic wonderland? a place so secure, one can run and play with abandon, knowing nothing there can harm? a place where fun and rapture and innocence converge into reality that surpasses imagination, a place where everything pure and joyous can be savored without limit, a place where only the best things are possible and granted admittance? Or is it more? 

Over a series of articles, I'd like us to ponder the Kingdom of God --what it is, and what is the responsibility of its members here on earth --beginning with Matthew 13.

Prior to elucidating the nature of the kingdom of God, Jesus begins with a parable about hearing. In fact, not only is the parable the preface to His description and is a parable about parables, it is the very nature of the kingdom. What is your response to the gospel message? Essentially, if we fall into any of the categories in which the seed does not take root and produce fruit, we have not understood the value of the message, have not grasped it, and are therefore, not a part of the kingdom of God. The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom are restricted to those who have been given them. Some are called into the kingdom and some are not; some long to be a vital part of the kingdom --they are those who will be granted greater benefit --and some, though they hear the word of the kingdom, in their complacence and vapidity, do not understand its worth and do not guard it --they are those who will have it snatched away. 

So, let's stop there for now. What images does the word home invoke? Are there smells that take you back to a place of comfort and peace? Even if the home you were given as a child was not what you had dreamed, what do you imagine home to be? What if a world of imagination, freedom, and joy was available to you today --what would be your response? Would you jealously guard that place of refuge and elation? Would you do all you could to maintain it, at the same time inviting those you love to join you? Or would you be skeptical? careless? Would you enjoy it for a moment but, not really wanting to tackle the upkeep or weather what could be some difficult seasons, exchange it for the superficial and familiar? What would be your response to the news of something wonderful available to you today?