Every time you are in conflict with someone, but you go to them and seek reconciliation and forgiveness – the kingdom is breaking into this world. Every time you have a chunk of money and decide to give significantly to somebody who is hungry or homeless or poor – the kingdom is breaking into the world. Any time someone has an addiction and wants to partner with God so much that they are willing to get help from a loving community – the kingdom is breaking into the world. Every time a workaholic parent decides to stop idolising their job, rearranges their life, and begins to love and care for the family entrusted to them – the kingdom is breaking into the world. Every time you include someone who’s lonely, every time you encourage someone who’s defeated, every time you challenge somebody who’s wandering off the path, and every time you serve the needy – the kingdom of God is once more breaking into the world. Jesus taught us to pray: ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’ Notice He didn’t tell us to pray, ‘Get me out of here so I can go up there!’ His prayer was, ‘Make up there come down here. Make things run down here, in my life, the way they run up there.’ The answer to this prayer begins with you personally: your body, your mind, your appetites, etc. Then it spreads to your workplace, your family, your neighbourhood, your church, and your sphere of influence. And it all starts by asking yourself this question: ‘Where do I want to see God’s presence and power break into my world?’

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.