Jesus’ strategy was very clear. He came to do His Father’s will. This is the essence of Kingdom Spirituality. It differs from religious devotion in that it cuts out any “middle man.” In a Kingdom paradigm each believer sees his or her personal connection and value to the King. He not only wishes to work through us, He has called us friends and gifted us with the Holy Spirit so we can be actively responsive to His voice – whenever He chooses to mobilize our hearts.
And what an adventure Kingdom Spirituality is! We can look at our past, present, and future as contributing influences to whom God has made us to be. While there may be many things we would change about our personal history, God is a Master at growing Kingdom spirituality through imperfect and sometimes messy lives.
Mere discipline will not ensure a Kingdom walk. Religious conformity or participation is inferior to being connected with God. God’s hand IS moving in the life of His Kingdom children – and He is graciously breathing eternal words of life into our mortal selves. He is the Planter and Nourisher of Kingdom seeds!
The Kingdom grows primarily through relational lines: blood-lines, neighbor-lines, and what I like to call LIFE-lines. Family and the people who live in close proximity are pretty easy to identify, and LIFE-lines come about as we pay attention to people in the midst of the twists, challenges, and opportunities that occur almost daily – often within the unexpected. We are privileged to engage in a series of meaningful relationships as our life unfolds.
Often the best opportunities for the Kingdom are overlooked as insignificant or mundane – but think about it – with whom do we have the greatest chance for impact? With those we know the most about – and those who know us best!
Colossians 1:15-18 is a great picture passage of the King and His Kingdom. It is talking about Jesus. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”