The immediate questions that come to my mind are: “ What does the coming of God’s kingdom look like?” and “What exactly is His Will?” These are big questions! Yet, we are called to make this a pattern of our prayer as Jesus tells us “pray this way”. We need to think about it. We are praying for it, but even more so, we are commanded to pray it. But, what does it mean? What does it require of me? First, we must look at what we know about God’s kingdom. As we read the various statements of Jesus in relation to the Kingdom, we find these common themes: justice, kindness and humility. In seeking God’s kingdom, and doing His Will, we must constantly be asking – is what I’m doing Godly justice, Christly love, Holy Spirit humility? All my relationships and encounters are to be marked and come under the subjection of these qualities. I challenge you to re-examine the gospel passages that speak of the kingdom and apply these themes. Ask what is Kingdom justice, Kingdom kindness, Kingdom humility. These are the elements of God’s Kingdom and expressions of His Will. These are the things that if the Kingdom of God is to come, they must be lived through me. Everything is on the table. My choices, wants, attitudes and opinions are a big part of this kingdom. My relationship with my wife, my children, and my co-workers are considerations for coming of the Kingdom. For others is it is their relationship with a girl friend or a boy friend. As persons called ‘Respond to the Call’, it is directly tied to the ‘how and what’ we do as support workers for those with exceptional needs. It comes to play in our conflicts, how we relate to those in authority, etc. In addition, being that this is being written at the end of February, how and what I report on my taxes. It is at the most fundamental pragmatic levels that we need live out the Kingdom of God. I think that is the root of Jesus’ statement: “Seek first the Kingdom of God, then these things will be added to you”.
I have had many people tell me “this or that is God’s Will” after which I am left wondering, “How do you know that?” The problem with declaring something as God’s Will is we effectively lock down input or counsel from anyone else. How do we know with certainty what God’s Will is? I am afraid I have used this, or seen other people use the statement “it’s God’s Will” as a method of manipulation or self-justification of what we personally want to see happen. As well meaning and convinced as I may be, there are few things that I should be as dogmatic about to as to claim “This is God’s Will”. I am not suggesting that we cannot know God’s Will, I am merely pointing out that we need to be very careful and very sure of making that claim. Here is the ironic bit: many, including myself, have claimed this as a truth regarding particular things. However, if you look closely enough at those things that we feel we know for sure are God’s Will – maybe we aren’t doing quite so well with them. Here is what I mean: if you knew the specific Will of God, would you do it? If you knew exactly what He required of you, would you commit all you are to do it? Well here is the rub, He has told us – clearly. The answer to this is found in Micah 6:8
8He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
We do this in our personal walk with God, in our journey with each other, and in our mission to a world that desperately needs to experience the coming of the Kingdom of God (refer to the Haiti reflections).
Here’s my suggestion – for myself especially: first I must focus on what I know to be the Will of God: justice for the poor, broken and forgotten; kindness be the quality that I am known by, and humility to be my character –
Anyway, I was just thinking,
Neil
I have had many people tell me “this or that is God’s Will” after which I am left wondering, “How do you know that?” The problem with declaring something as God’s Will is we effectively lock down input or counsel from anyone else. How do we know with certainty what God’s Will is? I am afraid I have used this, or seen other people use the statement “it’s God’s Will” as a method of manipulation or self-justification of what we personally want to see happen. As well meaning and convinced as I may be, there are few things that I should be as dogmatic about to as to claim “This is God’s Will”. I am not suggesting that we cannot know God’s Will, I am merely pointing out that we need to be very careful and very sure of making that claim. Here is the ironic bit: many, including myself, have claimed this as a truth regarding particular things. However, if you look closely enough at those things that we feel we know for sure are God’s Will – maybe we aren’t doing quite so well with them. Here is what I mean: if you knew the specific Will of God, would you do it? If you knew exactly what He required of you, would you commit all you are to do it? Well here is the rub, He has told us – clearly. The answer to this is found in Micah 6:8
8He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
We do this in our personal walk with God, in our journey with each other, and in our mission to a world that desperately needs to experience the coming of the Kingdom of God (refer to the Haiti reflections).
Here’s my suggestion – for myself especially: first I must focus on what I know to be the Will of God: justice for the poor, broken and forgotten; kindness be the quality that I am known by, and humility to be my character –
Anyway, I was just thinking,
Neil
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