Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
Matthew 6:10
In arguably one of his most famous sermons ever, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught the crowd how to pray. He was very specific and even quoted an exact prayer as an example for them to follow. In that prayer, he said “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” On “EARTH as it is in heaven.” Not “in America as it is in heaven.” Not “on the continent of Africa as it is in heaven.” He said on earth as it is in heaven. You are on that earth. If you walk with Christ, you get to be a part of bringing that kingdom come to wherever your feet are.
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by actions, is dead
James 2:17
In Ephesians two, verses eight through ten, it says “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advanced for us to do.” I am saved by grace, through faith, but my faith is dead without actions. I am God’s handiwork and he has good works prepared for me in this life. God has also given me free will. I get to choose whether to join him in these works or not. God doesn’t need me to bring his kingdom. But, he chose me. And he has chosen you too. Christ died for the sins of all. We have all been called, but we get to choose how we respond to that call. Every day when I wake up, I get to choose to join my Father in his work, the work he has prepared for me, or not.
Therefore go an make disciples of all nations…
Matthew 28:19
The last thing recorded in the book of Matthew is Jesus’ last words to the disciples before he ascended into heaven. It’s known as the “Great Commission.” It is essentially Jesus’ charge to the disciples before, in the flesh, he leaves. It says “then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Go unto ALL nations. Where are you right now? I can bet it’s in a nation. Whether it be America or Uganda or India. God has called his followers to all nations. God has called you, today, to the nation where your feet are.
God has called me to bring His Kingdom come wherever my feet are. In this season of my life, that means traveling to eleven different countries and spending one month spreading the Good News to those people. It looks like me waking up every day in a foreign place and choosing to push through the discomfort in order to bring joy to those around me. It looks like playing soccer with children, preaching in front of a congregation, or praying with a widow who is struggling to raise her children on her own.
Since coming on this trip, I have had many people tell me they are living vicariously through my pictures and updates. Although I know the heart behind that statement is pure, that’s not what God intends for your life. You have received the same calling I have. God has called you to bring His Kingdom come wherever your feet are. So, what does ministry look like for you in this season? What good works has God prepared for you? Is it going out for coffee with a coworker who needs some encouragement? Is it being patient with your children when they are driving you crazy? Is it putting your pride aside and apologizing? Is it reconciling a soured relationship?
So, today, bring God’s Kingdom wherever your feet are! Share the Good News with everyone you encounter. That may look like playing with the children even though your exhausted. That may look like smiling at a stranger. That may look like telling someone God loves them and has a plan for their life. Whatever good works God has prepared for you today, join Him. He doesn’t need you to accomplish His will, but He has chosen you. He has called you. So, in the words of the apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
