Kingdoms

Today I am one of the millions (I'm sure) parents whose hearts are breaking for the families who have been robbed of their precious children in these tragic acts of violence. We are holding our littles closer, not arguing when they ask to sleep in our bed and want extra cuddles. We are breathing them in and trying not to completely fall apart when we think of the overwhelming grief these other parents are facing right now. We are praying for comfort and peace and protection.

My Facebook feed has been justifiably filled with outpourings of thoughts and prayers for these families... and questions. My own mind has been filled with questions.

I believe in a loving God. An all powerful God. What the heck happened?

I prayed. I didn't even know what to pray most of the day. I said "Jesus" a lot.  What is going on Lord?

I heard him say, "There are two kingdoms in this world. This was not the work of mine."

In these days and hours I am sure that will be innumerable prayers uttered and cried. Many will find peace, comfort and assurance - and as people find that in the Lord there will also be accusations and anger directed at those who receive peace from God and at God for seemingly standing back and doing nothing to prevent this.

As I prayed I suddenly became angered with the thought, why does the enemy get off the hook for this? Why is there hardly any mention of the pure evil that is responsible for this tragedy?

There are two kingdoms in this world. There is no neutral zone, no Switzerland in this war. One rules with deception, hatred, bitterness, jealousy, hate and malice. Did the man responsible for this actively choose this kingdom? I don't know. But I'm guessing that he believed the lies the enemy fed him about himself. I'm guessing that things of this kingdom like hatred, malice and bitterness crept in and took root in his life.

The often scary part is that all day, every day we make choices to agree with one kingdom or another. Choosing not to choose a definite side doesn't leave us in some no man's land. There are two kingdoms, no neutral zone. When we choose to lash out at our spouse and refuse to forgive, we agree with the kingdom of darkness.

When we choose to extend grace to someone who doesn't deserve it in our eyes we agree with the kingdom of heaven. When we choose to give up our grievances and choose peace we agree with the kingdom of heaven.

Today I am praying for the Kingdom of Heaven to invade this earth.
Our Father
Who art in heaven
Hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come, your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven...

May this situation be invaded with peace, love, compassion, grace, healing, and forgiveness. Would every choice that is made to bring heaven to earth push out and silence the kingdom of darkness.

Would that the real enemy take the blame here and that we recognize it in ourselves.

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I think this situation has shook a lot of people. I know it has me. We're all processing what has gone on, how do we respond, how do we stop this from happening in the future. I recognize that I am putting this out there publicly. I appreciate how with social media every person can have a voice. Please don't take this post as invitation to debate. I'm just expressing my heart and what I feel that Lord has brought up in the last hours.






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