*Note: This is a follow up from my last blog, aka make sure you read the other one first*
King. Its a word that western society does not understand fully. Sure we have homecoming kings, Burger king, The mattress king, etc. Heck, my high school mascot was a Monarch (no, not the butterfly). But the word king has a very different meaning to us westerners than it did in the bible.
Today the word king kept coming up. First, in a sermon that I was listening to while in church. (Note, the Nepalese Church service is spoken in Nepalese * Go figure 😉 * so I subtly had my ipod in and was listening to a sermon from back home). The sermon is title "King and Kingdom". I have actually listened to it four times in the past three weeks. So why did I listen to it this more. Well, a big birdie (aka God) told me to.
After my bungee jumping experience, this sermon somehow found a way to sink deeper into my heart, and thus God brought me to a deeper understanding of the message.
In my blog I talked about how true freedom doesn't mean we have control over our own lives. In the most desperate moments of prayer, people often cry out to God to help them, to save them, to fix the problem. In these moments, they are asking God to be King. Not a homecoming king or the Burger King. Those are simply titles. When we want to God to come into our lives and become king, it means He will reign over us. But not like a dictator. He doesn't desire to lord His power over us. He desires to be a loving king. A king who desires best for his subjects. And even more, since we have been adopted by Him, He desires for us to be co-laborers or ambassadors for Him.
But first, we have to give up our own Kingdoms or Queendoms. To crown God as King over our lives, we have to do the thing that people only want to to in the hard moments… surrender. Let's be real here- no wants to surrender in the good moments. No one says to someone else, "Look at me and my kingdom, we are doing extremely well for ourselves. We have plenty of food and comforts, but here, take our kingdom from us."
Nope, no one wants to waive the white flag when things are fine and dandy.
Before the race, I desired the free fall. I desired to give control of my life over to God. I desired to make Him King, for I knew that I couldn't do my life on my own. I was done living life on my own terms and I wanted to live a life fully for God. One that proclaimed, "God is my King."
But I thought that the mere act of coming on the race would be enough. I thought by leaving my family, friends, apartment, and job would be handing over my life to Him. But I think God told me this morning that He wants more of me. More of my heart.
It's still easy try and rely on myself, even while on the race.
"I'm really tired, God, so even though You desire to spend time with me, I think I am going to take a nap."
"I don't feel 100% today, so I am going to sit back."
Isn't it oky to rest? Why are those phrases wrong? Take a look at the next two.
"I am really sick, but everyone else is pushing through, so I have to also."
"Wow my legs are sore. I need a break, but no one else does so I will just push through. Only one more mile to hike. I can do it."
I have said all four sentences. And none are what God desires to hear.
"Abba, I am exhausted. But You are the giver are rest. You are my strength when I am weak. Will You speak Your love over me for the rest of the hike. I can't finish it with out You."
While this isn't the most eloquent example, I am sure you get the point. Even on the race, I still have the option to choose myself over God. But He is faithful and will never give up on me.
After finishing the message, the next three songs on my ipod confirmed what He had just spoken to me.
"Vida la Vida" It used to be my kingdom. But my reign is over and I am saying goodbye to it.
"Something beautiful" Read the entire lyrics- this song is almost exactly how I feel at the current moment
http://www.metrolyrics.com/something-beautiful-lyrics-needtobreathe.html
"Just Live it" The path is there for you and me I'm living for You recklesslyNow I want the world to see
I found the way to live it everyday
So that's what God is doing in my life at the moment. Stayed tuned- next week I'll post another blog about ministry.
*P.s. Here is the sermon I was talking about
http://www.marinerschurch.org/messagesmedia/messages/irvine-worship-ctr/2027-2012-07-29-the-king-in-the-kingdom
