On Earth as it Is in Heaven

Many years ago, a Korean pastor in our Presbytery approached me about the possibility of his new church development sharing space within the church I was serving. He further broached the idea of shared ministry, shared worship, and potentially even a shared leadership board. Initially, my thoughts were a little territorial. We need that space! And then I focused on logistics: How would that ever work? Culturally, we are so different. Language barriers… 

As we were talking this over, I raised my concerns. In response, he asked me, “Joe, what do you imagine the kingdom of God looks like?”  

“Well, in theory…,” I started. 

“No. In the Bible, they will come from east and west. They will come from north and south. There will be people from every nation, speaking every language, from every race…”

“Is that just in heaven?” 

“Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done. On earth, as it is in heaven.”

Oh. That’s true, isn’t it?

I wonder what you think about when you think about the Kingdom of God. I wonder what glimpses you have seen throughout your life. I wonder when you have noticed the in-breaking of God’s reign here on earth. And then I wonder, how you respond…

Let us pray: Holy God, draw us closer. Renew us and heal us. And then grant us eyes to see, and hearts to follow. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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