Keep Your Kingdom Focus
We all hope for a happy coming year. But we can be certain that along with the good things, not-so-good things will also happen.
In my own struggles I’ve written about since Kim’s passing, the Lord prompted me with this: “It’s in the fire that you’re forged.” We all know he will grow us as we work through hardships. Yet for this to happen, I’ve learned the importance of our perspective, our focus.
When I miss Kim too much, and everything in life seems to go dark, I’ve learned that I need to get back to a Kingdom of God focus.
My former district superintendent Rev. Jerry Ferguson always encouraged Kim and me: “Focus on the Kingdom, and God will take care of the church.” We did. And it was true. God took care of our church.
It’s also true on a personal level. Whatever you’re going through—no matter how bad or hard it is—if you focus on the Kingdom, God will take care of you. Matthew 6:33 is only one of many promises: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things [life’s provisions] will be given to you as well” (NIV).
Keeping your focus on the Kingdom requires continual awareness and getting your focus back. When you’re driving down a road, you must continually make adjustments to keep on the road without crashing. In the same way things will happen to take your focus off the Kingdom. You may be grieving your wife who passed away. Or you may be facing financial troubles, work troubles, family troubles, or health troubles.
If you keep a Kingdom of God perspective, you’ll know you’re always in God’s hands and that his Matthew 6:33 promise is for you—all year long—even if at first it looks otherwise.
What is one hardship or challenge you face in which you need to keep a Kingdom of God perspective?
How will you do so?
Art: Gerd Altmann|Pixaby
Your growing on me brother…
There is a reason for all of this.
Is that thought helpful to focusing on the kingdom?
It’s not forever that we are on earth.
What about that one?
I am struggling to understand what should be a simple concept.
Like it seems I knew the meaning of these words long ago.
Then- life happened to me.
Kingdom focus.
Please tell me more about how.
I want to live this kind of life.
Show me?
I feel what you’re going through.
I do not think that “There is a reason for all of this” or “Everything has a reason” is particularly helpful. They’re Christian platitudes.
“It’s not forever that we’re here on earth” is true, but it only serves to remind you that “this too shall pass,” which is true and helpful in its own right but doesn’t help much with a kingdom focus.
Go back to Scripture. Both John the Baptist and Jesus began their ministries with “Repent! For the Kingdom of God is near.” Then ensued all the ministry, teaching, and miracles that are signs of the kingdom. The Kingdom of God is the reign or rule of God as it manifests here on earth. He calls us to be part of it. The question for each of us is, What part do I play in God’s kingdom?
What is your part in God’s big picture—his kingdom come, his will be done on earth as it is in heaven?
Also, on the comforting side, is the fact that God is with us through his Spirit. Kingdom focus keeps us focused on him, his promises, and his presence and work in our lives—above all the competing demands or challenges.
I hope that helps. May God guide you through a breakthrough.