I just finished up taking a class on missions along with my most recent batch of new missionaries that went through our training. The class is called, “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement.” I was a wonderful experience and provoked me in some areas thus refining our calling to the nations, specifically Cambodia.
One of those areas in which I was challenged was in the area of the Kingdom of God. Jesus came preaching that the Kingdom of God was at hand, near or even in their midst. One story that comes to mind is when John the Baptist, being in prison, sends out messengers to Jesus asking if He is really the Messiah. If you remember, John’s disciples actually left John for Jesus and John encouraged them to do that! Did John simply forget? What I think happened is that John was preaching a message of the kingdom coming to earth, but even though he was preaching exactly what he was needing to, his definition of what that looked like did not play out exactly how he thought it would. Jesus messed with John’s theology.
What struck me though was Jesus’ response. When John questioned Jesus, Jesus responded not with a theological argument. Jesus did not reply by summarizing what He had been teaching. He said, the blind see, the sick are healed, the dead are raised, and good news has come to the poor! Instead of reiterating the message of the kingdom being in their midst, He basically said, the proof is in the pudding! Jesus not only preached the kingdom being near, He showed them the power of the kingdom. This kingdom operates by a different set of rules. The rules of the world are that the dead stay in the grave, demons have power over us, and the poor have nothing good ahead of them. Jesus brought a kingdom that slapped those rules in the face.
While reading that my spirit leaps! There is nothing more true than those words right there! I desire to cast out demons and raise the dead. I don’t want to just talk about these things, I want to be living proof that my King operates on a different playing field. That is the mandate of the King while we are citizens in His kingdom!
I asked God, how do I get there? Sometimes getting to do the powerful stuff is found in deciding to make our bed first. But why do I need to make my bed when I can pray for the dead and they can be raised?
Those who are faithful with small things will be given more. There have been times where I have prayed for small things like headaches to go away, or sprained ankles to be healed, and sometimes God heals them and sometimes He doesn’t. Somewhere along the way I despised the little victories.
It is easy to say yes to the big vision. But why would God give us the big things when we haven’t said yes to the small everyday things? In the world, trust is earned and with God it is not any different. He sees our potential beyond what we see, but greater trust and authority is increased along the journey.
I want to proclaim the kingdom in word and action, and I am deciding to start with the small things that God gives me. Sprained ankles, demonic oppression, unmade beds, dirty dishes and the hopeless homeless here I come!
