The first rule is to break all the rules. This may be a popular management strategy but, more importantly, it is the rule of the Kingdom of God.
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way" (Luke 6:20-26).
Society's norm is in complete contrast to the norm of the Kingdom. The Kingdom is today's world inverted - the needy and hurting become the rich and the whole; the haves' becomes the have nots', and vice versa. The Kingdom provides the ultimate justice. Little wonder that we are invited to "be glad in that day and leap for joy".
To even the most casual observer it is abundantly clear that this world is characterized by brokenness. Criminals are often rewarded rather than punished. Good, decent people are exploited and oppressed.
The Giver of Kingdom good news calls His followers to be messengers of good news. As those who are "glad" and "leap for joy" in that day, our enthusiasm has the potential to be widely contagious. Our weary and heavy-burdened friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers will wonder what we are up to! And curiosity over our "little secret" will lead to opportunities for sharing.
As those living with one foot in this age and the other foot in the age to come, we have a wonderful opportunity to be bridge-builders to the King and the Kingdom. May the present reality of the coming kingdom be so bright in our lives as to draw the needy and hurting around us to its reality.
Steve
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way" (Luke 6:20-26).
Society's norm is in complete contrast to the norm of the Kingdom. The Kingdom is today's world inverted - the needy and hurting become the rich and the whole; the haves' becomes the have nots', and vice versa. The Kingdom provides the ultimate justice. Little wonder that we are invited to "be glad in that day and leap for joy".
To even the most casual observer it is abundantly clear that this world is characterized by brokenness. Criminals are often rewarded rather than punished. Good, decent people are exploited and oppressed.
The Giver of Kingdom good news calls His followers to be messengers of good news. As those who are "glad" and "leap for joy" in that day, our enthusiasm has the potential to be widely contagious. Our weary and heavy-burdened friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers will wonder what we are up to! And curiosity over our "little secret" will lead to opportunities for sharing.
As those living with one foot in this age and the other foot in the age to come, we have a wonderful opportunity to be bridge-builders to the King and the Kingdom. May the present reality of the coming kingdom be so bright in our lives as to draw the needy and hurting around us to its reality.
Steve
posted by steve @ 7:44 AM
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