Seeing the Kingdom
In the story "It's a Wonderful Life" George Bailey discovers that everything he longed for in his life was already present, that the life he was living was truly more wonderful than he could have imagined.
Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.’- Luke 17:20-21
Jesus spent a fair amount of time talking to his disciples about the Kingdom of God. He described it in parables, likening it to a woman looking for a coin, and a man buying a field.
In today's reading, he tells them it is already here among them. So, why can't they see it?
Let those who have eyes, see, he told them.
What if we, too, are missing the point? What if there is something beautiful and wonderful before us every day in this life, and we fail to see it?
Jesus goes on to tell them that throughout time people have continued to do the same old thing each day right up until the moment they were taken, failing to see that they could have been living another way.
But what is that way?
What is it that we will discover when all this ends that will make us slap ourselves in the head, saying, "You fool, look what you missed"?
Perhaps we have it in our power to open our eyes to see the kingdom that is all around us. Maybe it is as simple as saying, "Today, I will see it."
The revelation may be a matter of choice, rather than a fearful event bringing doom and destruction.
But how will we know, unless we try?
The other night in our Education for Ministry class, we talked about seeing God in everyone. At first, we thought that might be the way to change our views, our opinions, our lives. But then we had another thought.
What if we try to see others the way God sees them?
Perhaps that is the answer to this riddle as well. If I can look upon you the way I believe God sees you, then I might be able to see the kingdom through God's eyes.
It's worth a shot, don't you think? If there is beauty all around us, waiting to be seen, why not try to see it?
So, my prayer today is for all of us to open our eyes and enjoy the beauty of this day.
Can we do that?
More to come...