Your Kingdom Come (Week 32)

Stepping into their home was like stepping into an oasis. I could feel my soul exhale as I was welcomed by our mentor friends. We were young and just starting out; they had two young girls ready to enter the teen years.
 
They greeted each arriving guest with the enthusiasm usually reserved for those of great importance. I remember thinking this place must be a bit of heaven on earth. That night, we experienced something rare: a safe space where God’s heart was revealed. God’s Kingdom in action.
 
I later found out their environment was no accident. The couple was intentional. Their goal: that others might experience Him. That night we not only found heroes of the faith— we also left with a life mission.

​I didn’t realize it then, but this mission can be summed up in one of the most familiar prayers of all time; a prayer that Jesus Himself invited us to pray. The “Lord’s Prayer” is spoken far and wide, but when we really dig in, we find there is enough power to change our lives in the first two verses alone.
 
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name...’” 
 
This prayer is a beautiful invitation into a different kind of life than the common self-reliant life most of us live. ‘Hallowed’ is a bit of an ancient word, but a synonym for the word is the word ‘honored.’ When we honor His name, we honor all of who He is. He is Provider, Healer, Friend, Banner (Victory), Shepherd, Peace, Refuge, Present, Righteousness, Holy, Love, and so much more.
 
Can you imagine if we rehearsed who He is every single day in this prayer? I imagine our fears would be calmed, our trust would deepen, we would be inwardly at rest and our identity would become fixed in Him. Focusing on God shifts perspective, gives courage and promotes love. It changes who we are and in turn changes how we live. Looking at Him paves the way for the next verse.
 
“‘...your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’”
 
When we pray these words, we are asking for His Kingdom ways to infiltrate the earth. It can feel overwhelming to pray this until we realize His ‘Kingdom come’ is simply the result of individuals living differently. When we live with a “Your Kingdom come, your will be done” mentality, we begin to live our days on mission. We want HIS will to be done, not our own. This kind of heart changes our actions. We don’t get to choose other’s choices, but we always get to choose ours.
 
His ‘Kingdom come’ in our lives may look like…
 
Handling a temper tantrum with grace
Responding well when offended
Staying up late speaking life to a hurting friend
Welcoming others into our home with open arms
 
How many of the most important moments of Jesus’ ministry were, at the time, seemingly small and inconsequential? What if ‘His Kingdom come’ isn’t always a splashy moment in time, but a display of His grace, love and kindness in our hard world? What if like our friend’s home, our homes become a refuge, a sanctuary of sorts where His Kingdom ways are operating more and more?
 
What if we lived like that wherever we find ourselves? Never perfect, but always growing.
 
Father, who is above and over all, honored be your name. May YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done, in our lives and in our homes as it is in Heaven today.

About the Author

Hi! I'm Wendy Gerdes and I live in Omaha, Nebraska with my family. John and I have been married for twenty years and we have three teens plus a twelve year old who keep us busy. I always say every stage is my favorite, but this stage really IS my favorite! On a quiet day, I can usually be found reading or writing. Hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends are also favorite pastimes. I am most passionate about learning and writing about God's heart for us. When we begin to see his heart for us and towards us, it changes everything!

Connect with Wendy at her blog at www.wendygerdes.wordpress.com

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