The Kingdom that matters

This past week, my family and I experienced the joys, crowds, and high temperatures of Disney World. The Magic Kingdom was our favorite of the theme parks. We loved our visit to this delightful place, but it’s not the Kingdom that matters.

I first visited Disney World as an adult, more than 40 years ago. I loved it and I still do. It’s fun for all ages! And sharing the experience with family made it extra special for me. The friendly, courteous, and helpful staff of Disney World welcomes everyone. Visitors to the park are usually good natured, kind, and patient. We had an awesome vacation.

Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom provides joy in the moment–and there’s nothing wrong with that. Watching the wonder in the eyes of my grandchildren as we rode slow moving boats though an air conditioned facility brought joy to this “young at heart” Grandma. Hearing their laughter and excitement as they marveled at amazing sights and sounds thrilled me.

But the Magic Kingdom and all such earthly experiences are temporary–it’s not the Kingdom that lasts or matters beyond the moment.

The Kingdom That Matters

Scripture provides numerous verses focused on the Kingdom of God. I’m sharing just a few here.

What is God’s Kingdom?

Jesus shares insight through the Parable of the Growing Seed:

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, through he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain–first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” (Mark 4:26-29, NIV*)

Although Jesus does not explain the Parable in Scripture, one viewpoint from those who study God’s Word suggests that the ground represents the receptive ears of people and the seed is God’s Word acting within individual hearts. Like the farmer observing the growth of the plants without completely understanding the process, being receptive to God’s Word allows God to work within us, even when we aren’t aware of His actions.

Then . . . as we grow in faith and action through God’s presence in our lives, we actively pursue the goal. Just as the farmer harvests the grain, we are called to harvest people by sharing the Gospel of Jesus with them.

Finding God’s Kingdom

His Kingdom is available to us–we can find it. We seek God’s Kingdom through Jesus.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

Even better, Jesus shows us the way.

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the discples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant, He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Mark 10:13-15)

Children are excited and enthusiastic about learning–until society stifles that joy of learning. Imagine . . . what if we approached seeking Jesus and sharing the Good News of His gift of love and salvation with the same excitement of a family visiting Disney’s Magic Kingdom? Think of the harvest we could achieve!

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to the disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (Matthew 9:36-37)

I hope and pray we have all found the Kingdom of God and are working the harvest to share the Good News of Jesus with others.

Praying for you, my friends.

*All scripture is from the NIV

This article provides additional and helpful information about the Kingdom of God.

This article provides more detail on the Parable of the Growing Seed.