When encountering the Kingdom of God, on this side of heaven, there stands a moat around it. You know a moat, that trench-like body of water around a castle. Yeah, The Kingdom of God has one of those around it. To enter it you must pass through it. None are really exempt, and to pass through it you have to leave most all of your personal kingdom to make your way through it.
Here’s the thing- Jesus revealed what the Kingdom of God looked like, what it would cost those who wanted to enter it, and He even made new commandments that could only be obeyed from within it’s walls.
Those who have passed over into the Kingdom confuse those on the outside. They can be in agreement about many conceptual ideas, but the fiber of their being is different. Like oil and water.
The call is so definite that some wrestle hard to make a decision. I did. God wanted to have my life. I knew that if I turned it over and swam the distance of the moat that my life would no longer be mine. All that I had built and dreamed would be potentially destroyed. God wanted to help me understand who I was created to be, and make a way for that to be my reality. But He could not do that as long as I stood on the outside of the moat. Only on the inside.
One of the toughest components of this death swim is the transition into dependance on God’s economics. Jesus said …
“Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Jesus also said this, “I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alivetoday and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? Matthew 19 and 6
Chances are as you read this you may be able discern on which side of the mote you stand. Either this is a cool idea when times get tough, or this IS reality for you. Either this makes “your” security quiver or this is what encourages you to rest and trust in God.
I’m sorry if this is a little tough, but the children of God are not suppose to be swayed by the economy of the world. We have the Father of all creation as our Daddy. He always take cares of His children.
Here is one of the many hang-ups to this life that God is inviting us all into. We like to live some of our lives outside of God’s sight. See, if we are to really surrender ourselves over to God’s care we must let go of the things and the ideas that give us pleasure outside of Him. Of coarse this is a deception. For in the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy (Psalms 16:11).
I’m not sure where you are today as you read this… I don’t know why I’m all of sudden encouraged to write about it. I can tell you that I have been a Christian on both sides of the moat and it’s been a progression. But I was always being led to a single moment of time that I had to jump the water and chose to swim. It wasn’t easy. And I don’t think it is for anyone. It’s sacrifice. But I can tell you now that I’ve become more acclimated to this other side, I can whole heartedly encourage you. Come on in, trust your God. He has made a perfect way for you.
May the Lord continue to talk with you about this, and may you unlock the door of this idea and consider opening the door wide open.
Collision of Kingdoms 