The Reign of God as movement. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com . The Reign of God as at hand. This is a very biblical concept. "The kingdom of God is at hand." It is introduced with the word "repent." Unfortunately many folks hear that announcement and think that it means we have to get our lives 'together' so that we will somehow fit into the Reign of God at hand. Let me offer a complete no to that notion. The Reign of God as at hand is an invitation to enter in. It is like being at a party and someone says, "The buffet is now open." Not many folks - at least not the folks I hang around with - are shy about stepping up and stepping into the invitation. The 'repent' that comes along with the announcement that the Reign/Kingdom of God is at hand is a word of interruption like 'look here' or 'stop what you're doing and take hold of this amazing reality.' I was very tempted to include: act now before it is gone and we miss the coming of God's Reign. But then I realized that the Reign of God as at hand is eternally at hand. It is for now - it will be for tomorrow - it will be at your death bed - it will be during all the ups and downs of life. So, don't bother with trying to think of ways to fit in. This life comes to us - we benefit from its presence - it transforms us. The Reign of God as at hand is the freedom to dance to the music of unending love that is the power to redesign all of life. Why wait for that - even one more moment?! Get on board. O God of love and new life, it is not easy to simply step into the life you already have ready for us. We can be a people who must manufacture our life so that it will somehow fit into our vision of your Reign. And yet, by your grace, you simply say 'come' - thanks be to you, O God. Amen. |
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