I like to use the phrase Kingdom of God. I can say this in the Greek language but not many of you would care or see a reason for it. The language is from long ago and the word Kingdom. whether Greek or English is not one we use much at all unless we are acting out King Arthur or reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

Kingdom is a term that’s obsolete in these days - no more servants, no more knights in shining armor. Kingdom meant that you lived under the lordship of a master. Oops. Slavery is a thing of the past in our culture as well. And the loyalty that comes from being a Knight of the Round Table is an outdated item as well. In an attempt to be politically correct I should probably stop using these Biblical terms and stop going about this.

You can see it already. The writings and teachings of Jesus and His Kingdom are upside down/inside out. They are the complete opposite of what we are taught from our first cry as a baby. To be short, it’s not the way we do things anymore. Loyalty, commitment, serving and Kingdom don’t belong here anymore.

This is where the challenge to live as Jesus lived rubs against life as we know it. It’s difficult to live out the teachings of Jesus. It may be the biggest hurdle that any of us encounter as we strive to run the race Jesus set out before us. But, it’s the most rewarding way to live.

I know, I sound like a parent trying to help a child begin a saving your pennies in a piggy bank. Forget the saving, the child would say, I want a new iPod. No one ever wants to hear, “it’ll be more rewarding if you do it this way”. We’re stubborn that way.

That’s why the journey that Jesus lived before us and calls us to live has to begin with “I’m tired of my life and the way it’s turned out”. Yes, for these next few blogs to mean anything to you, you must be tired of it all. Tired of living out dreams that this world has created for us instead of the fulfilling life that the Creator begs us to join.

On second thought, it could be that Kingdom living is the best word to break into our selfish way of living. Let’s use it in this way, however. To be part of the Kingdom means that you belong to the greatest adventure and cause ever. We all want to belong or feel like we belong to something.

Are you ready for this journey? You’ve got to be tired of the road that you’re on! It’s sometimes painful. It is after all, Upside Down/Inside Out.

“The last will be first, the first will be last” (Matt 20:16)

Matthew 20:16