Living Uncommon in a Common World - How T o Pray For Others

PRYOR, Oklahoma ~ I recently read that Jesus references the Kingdom of God 126 times in the Gospels. With that many accounts I have to wonder why we don't pay greater attention to it. We tend to get so focused on what's right in front of us, the here and now, that we forget there is much more in store for us.

I can remember when my daughter, T ayliana, was in elementary school and had the biggest crush on a little boy in her class. We didn't allow our kids to date until they were 16 so she was devastated that he couldn't be her boyfriend. She said to me, "I love him so much, momma." I knew she didn't love him. Yet, it seemed so real to her.

I explained to her that at 11 years old she was not going to get married, and the reason for dating is to find the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. She shed some tears but understood.

Today, Tayli is married to the man of her dreams and has a beautiful family. She'd be slightly embarrassed to bring up how dramatic she was about that childhood crush. She now realizes that the thing that seemed so important to her all of those years ago was a temporary feeling. The thing that seemed so important to her at the time was not real love at all.

I don't think we'll actually have feelings of embarrassment in Heaven, but I do think a day is coming when we will realize that we were a bit dramatic about what we put our trust in while on earth. Afterall, Jesus said of the Christians,"They do not belong to this world any more than I do" (John 17:16 NLT). In fact, He made it clear that in comparison to eternity our life on earth is very short. James 4:4b (NLT) says, "Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone."

If our life on earth is ridiculously short compared to eternity, why don't we put more focus on our eternal life? Maybe, it's because we're like my 11 year old daughter in many ways. Could it be that we're immature in the things of God, like my daughter was immature in the things of life? Could it be that we're more interested in instant gratification than a future reward? Maybe we aren't even familiar with the idea of a Heavenly Kingdom.

Jesus explained the Kingdom of Heaven like a man who found a treasure in a field. When the man saw how great the treasure was, he knew he had to have it. There was nothing that compared to this treasure. He instantly went home and sold everything he had to buy that field with the treasure (Matthew 13:44-46).

God's Kingdom is real. It exists. It's better than any kingdom on earth. It's better than anything this world has to offer. This world is not our forever home. It's temporary.

My husband, Darian, and I have purchased our forever home in Locust Grove, OK. We love it. It's a beautiful place that overlooks the lake. We thank God for it almost daily. Though we call it our forever home, we know it is temporary. As beautiful as it is, it's nothing compared to our forever home in the Kingdom of Heaven. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has planned for me in my true Kingdom. It's going to be better than anything here on earth.

While we're on earth let's not get dramatic about the things in front of us. Let's not worry or cry about things that don't go our way. This place is not our forever home. Instead let's listen to the Word of Jesus:

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:27-33 NLT).

"This life is like the morning fog. It's not our forever home. We don't belong here anymore than Jesus does. While we're here, let's be willing to buy the field with the real treasure in it and not worry. The here and now may seem important to us today, but seeking the Kingdom of Heaven above all else will give us everything we need.