So in certain versions of the Bible the bit that outlines Jesus’ guide to prayer they stop at the bit that talks about forgiving.
I understand that bit.
I am still a sucker, though, for the KJV ending that talks about acknowledging that the Kingdom, power and glory belongs to God.
Today I had another chance to embrace just a part of the reality of what that statement is all about.
Walking into the middle of the town centre, it occurred to me that I am one of a crowd of people going about their daily life. I might be consumed somewhat with my issues, and my stuff might be pressing to me, but in the context of the milling crowd of people it’s just not significant. Considering that this is just one of thousands and thousands of towns, cities, villages and places where people mill and carry on with life, is a rather humbling experience.
To know however that these places, these kingdoms will soon become the Kingdom of God – and indeed in a real way the death and resurrection of Christ means they are already the Kingdom of God (ahhhh … think about it people) is all the more exciting to think about.
In as much as we think we exercise some amount of power and seek glory in this world, we see how that turns out, and usually not good. To witness what God does in the lives of people whether they acknowledge it or not only goes onto prove that glory and power really does belong to Him as He has a very good way of exercising it in a manner that doesn’t contort, pervert and distort, but liberates, beautifies and glorifies.
It is such an uplifting feeling, it is such a reinvigorating experience and puts a different spin on relating with others. They may have their issues, but as God has the whole shabungle, there’s hope for them, I can relate to them in a hope-filled, gracious manner. Even the issues that were bothering me and seemed big to me, in the light of God having the whole shabungle, are no longer as onerous and stressful.
It’s good news that the Kingdom, the power and the glory belong to God. It is something worth celebrating not just because it’s something that will happen, it is something happening in every encounter we get to see God in action! Whether that’s in hearing the day your children had in school, or coming across a colleague joking about loving coffee (after all, who could possible love coffee?) the reality remains that because it all belongs to God, it’s another chance to see Him glorified in that very interaction if we but have the sense to experience it.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 