I used this quote in a sermon a few weeks ago - from Cornel West.
A Christian should be able to go to the White House, a crack house, their momma's house or any other house and come out with their integrity, vision, compassion, and commitment to justice intact.
If the Kingdom of God is within you, then everywhere you go you should leave a little heaven behind. People will know you to be a heaven leaver. You can learn to love your crooked neighbor with your own crooked heart because you're connected to a power and grace greater than your ego.
I really like the image of being a "heaven leaver." This is not a better than thou adventure. Rather it is living as though the vision of the Reign of God is truly at hand and you are walking around as a part of it as you move through the day. Leaving a bit of heaven means people will be touched by your presence. This does not mean some grand show of religiousness. It is the living presence of a compassion and kindness and peace and pursuit of justice that makes an impact on others. When we are heaven leavers, it is good to think of the reality in which other may pick up a bit of what is leavers - leave. For then, more heaven leavers begin walking around within the vision of the Reign of God as a daily reality. The more - the merrier.
Connection: Go ahead, heaven abounds - be a heaven leaver...there is enough to go around forever and ever.
When your Reign comes down upon us, O God, we are moved into a life that is new. Wet from the waters of baptism our days are full of opportunities to share the life into which you invite us. Encourage us with your Spirit that we will walk with a gait that show that your Reign is indeed at hand and among us. Amen.
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