I
look at the world around me and see a dichotomy of unspeakable evil and
incomparable glory. The world is full of so much darkness. I’ve seen children
abused, rejected, abandoned, and forced into dangerous situations by their
parents. I have 
watched people living in poverty and squalor to which no one
should be subjected. I have seen communities that are controlled by violence
and fear. I have seen countries that continue to be devastated by the effects
of war. I have held children in my arms that are dying of AIDS. I have seen
young ladies who are forced to sell themselves night after night in order to
provide for their families. People everywhere feel unloved, unaccepted, and are
without hope. Darkness fills every corner of this world.
However,
I have also seen the Lord’s glory touching every aspect of the darkness! I have
seen abandoned children adopted into the family of God. I have seen drug
addicts and gang members come seeking the Lord. I have seen individual lives
and communities transformed by the grace. I have seen women in prostitution
drawn out of the bars by the love of Jesus.
When
Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, He says: “…Your
Kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven…” Jesus asks us to pray for His Kingdom
to come here on Earth because it IS possible. The Lord gives His children the
amazing opportunity to be a part of something remarkable! It’s time that
Christians recognize that beginning a relationship with Jesus is not only a
relationship, but it’s also an invitation to bring His Kingdom on earth as it
is in heaven.
The
darkness of this broken world is so big that it often overwhelms me. But there
is also hope, life, freedom, and beautifully scandalous love that can only come
from God. I can give my life to that kind of love! I may not be able to change
everything happening in this world, but I can find one corner of darkness and
give my life to bringing Christ’s light to that place.
So,
my challenge to you, my blog readers… GO! Find a corner of darkness that really
breaks and captures your heart- whether it be homelessness, AIDS, poverty,
orphans, human trafficking, people trapped by idol worship and false religions-
and bring Kingdom to that place. Go and show them the beautiful love of Christ
that brought you to life and freedom.
“The Kingdom of God is
like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he
went away and sold everything he had and bought It.” ~ Matthew 13:45
I
have found this pearl of great price, His Kingdom, and it is worth giving up EVERYTHING
I once held dear. Nothing else compares to Jesus! Nothing is of greater
importance than bringing His Kingdom to a world enslaved.
