Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32 (ESV)
Blessed Father, thank you for your matchless generosity, coupled with your intense joy. As surely as you gave Jesus for our salvation, so you’ve given us your kingdom of grace and peace. There’s no need to retreat, pull back, or turn in on ourselves—no matter how dark, divided, and disintegrated our cities, country, and world have become.
As your beloved children, we’re not to be ingrown cloisters of fear, but out-loving communities of faith. Women and men set free to love others as we are loved by Jesus—churches offering redemptive presence and sure hope.
Our place in that Story is to preach the Gospel and create beauty, be good neighbors and love well; do excellent work and be generous; advocate for justice and extend your mercy… all the way into the new heaven and new earth.
Father, it’s always been your plan to fill the earth with your glory. You haven’t changed your mind. Eden was a preview of coming attractions, not a failed experiment. Hallelujah… our labors in the Lord will never be in vain. Your kingdom has come in part, and it is barreling towards us in fullness. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ triumphant and tender name.
