Living in the Kingdom
My former professor at the Renovare Institute, Dallas Willard, said that when he dies he will hardly know the difference between heaven and earth, as the Kingdom of God is here, now. He has since passed on and I know he is living now in the Kingdom of Heaven.
I view it as living in two worlds simultaneously with awareness of each, straddling the eternal spiritual realm and the temporal physical realm. I envision when I die, it will be like lifting one foot up and placing it next to the other. I will then be fully standing in Heaven, God's everlasting Kingdom.
So often people become "saved" and "born again," but they stay stagnant in their Christian faith. Many do not understand that Kingdom living is every second of every day, not once a week on Sundays. We should live every moment with intention, making an effort to live a Christ-centered life.
I wrote the poem "Living in the Kingdom" to describe what living in God's Kingdom every day is like.
Living in the Kingdom
Living in the Kingdom is done with intention
It is lived moment to moment with decision
It begins now when we are present and still
Transcending and accepting God's will
It is where Heaven begins
It is where our old life ends
Feeling deeply with intensity
Accepting life's unexplained mystery
Kingdom dwellers share in communion
Moving to God towards union
Valuing and appreciating each and every second
Listening and hearing the Holy Spirit's beckon
Our senses become heightened and attuned
Never again to feel lost and marooned
Growing spirituality is the goal
Gone are our former ways and old roles
Death is no longer a fear
We know Christ walks with us and is near
Never alone will we be
God's presence we feel and see
We come to trust God and His plan
Knowing He is there to always guide us by the hand
Love spills from our hearts overflowing to all
Our souls lift in song to God enthralled
Kingdom living brings joy and peace
Depression, anxiety, worry will then cease
God's eternal realm exists with us now
To us His love and grace He endows
Being Christ centered is the Life and the Kingdom Way
Holy Scripture's truth is the final say
Praise and gratitude are to our God daily given
For our Lord Christ who died and is risen
-Dr. Rhonda Milner
"Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does." Psalm 145:13
"Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;" Proverbs 3:4-5
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Mathew 6:33
