Backwards Kingdom

HEART //

The world’s system tells people that the way to be “successful” is to exalt yourself. You need to learn the most, look the best, make the most, and simply excel the most in order to be successful. But what if our definition of success is backwards?

The Kingdom of God has a much different way of defining success. In the Kingdom, we draw close to our destiny and purpose by sacrificing and serving, not by walking over people. The Bible says that in order to be “successful” we are to live our lives for others. Because we grow up with these worldly messages of success, it is easy to believe that life is about serving ourselves and working our way to the top. In reality the poor, the weak, and the hungry will truly taste of the Kingdom of God. This does not mean that we have to be physically hungry and thirsty to see God, but it comes back to dependency. Those who let go of their dependency in the things of this world will discover the blessing of knowing God. 

Life is much more simple than we make it. As Pastor Rick Warren says in the first sentence of his international best-seller, The Purpose Driven Life, “It’s not about you.” When we understand that true life is found in living for Christ and others, we discover the true blessings that this life has to offer. When we begin to know God in his mercy for the materially poor, we see his mercy in a new way for us, because, wow, we may be poor in some significant ways as well! When we begin to love who God loves, we will make decisions for our future that will be a blessing to his Kingdom rather than building our own. He is our example and our guide. 

WORK //

The way of Jesus is so opposite of the ways that surround us. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the ways you are seeking after worldly success. Pray that as you learn about who God is, you would begin to pursue success in an eternal Kingdom. Why do you think the mourners, the meek, and the hungry are all called “blessed” by Jesus?

Ask God to help you understand what it means to be a servant. Serve one person today without expecting the favor to be returned.