On Earth as it Is in Heaven
I remembered several years ago when 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 session. At first, my thoughts were a little territorial. And then focused on logistics: How would that ever work? Culturally, we are so different. Language barriers…
As we were talking about this over dinner, 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 as we prayed yesterday: 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.
Daily Message Author: Joe Albright
Joe began his ministry in Sarasota, Florida as an associate pastor, and it was in this capacity that he worked alongside the Reverend Dr. Roger Kunkel. Roger was a colleague who became a mentor and treasured friend. From Sarasota, Joe was called to Jacksonville, Florida where he served as the Head of Staff at Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church. Currently, Joe and his family worship and serve at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Switzerland, Florida. Full Bio
