Simplicity of the kingdom
How do we seek the Kingdom of God? This is a good question to ask as a follower of Christ. We have a King, He has a Kingdom, and we are to seek after it. But where is His Kingdom?
I am discovering over and over again that God’s Kingdom does not look like the kingdoms of this world. There are no directions on Google Maps to this kingdom. There is not a freeway sign we pass with an advertisement saying “Kingdom of God, exit 316!” There is no castle to point to or paparazzi following the King around.
So where is it, and how do we seek it? Jesus left us with some clues as to where to look.
The Kingdom of God belongs to children, and those who receive it like one. (Mark 10:14-15.)
“The Kingdom of God belongs to children.” From my very human perspective, I can say that if I were searching for a kingdom, I wouldn’t start by searching in the hands of a child. Why would you entrust something so valuable and precious to little hands that so often break or misplace things? But Jesus specifically says that God’s kingdom belongs to children – so we should start our journey of seeking God’s kingdom by looking in this unlikely place.
What else belongs to children? They don’t usually own more than some toys, a few stuffed animals, clothes, and maybe a bike. Everything that my son owns was given to him by my wife and I, or by friends and family. He hasn’t purchased anything for himself. In the same way, I’ve come to find on my journey of seeking God’s Kingdom that everything I have is from Him. He gives generously, and He gives even when I don’t understand why He would trust me with something so valuable as His kingdom. Just as my son hasn’t worked to pay for or earn what I give to him, we don’t have to work for the Kingdom of God. His Kingdom is simpler than I often believe it to be, and it is found where we may not expect it.
The Kingdom of God not only belongs to children, but is to also be received as a child. How does a child receive something? I know when I bring something to my son, he jumps around with excitement and joy, clapping his hands, and saying “Thank you, Daddy!” The funny thing is, it hardly matters what I am bringing to him, whether its food, a new toy car, or a paper airplane. He trusts me. I want to respond the same way when God reveals more of His Kingdom to me. Even if I don’t understand it, or if it is simple, I want to respond like my son does to me: with joy, with awe and gratefulness, and with trust in my Father.
Let’s open our hearts to what the Kingdom of God might be. Everyday I’m discovering that it is better than I thought, and that it is found in places (and people) that I never would have thought to look. May we seek God’s Kingdom, and receive it like a child, with awe and simplicity.
– Written by Brian Byersdorf
(photo credit) text added