The Kingdom of God

“…when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.” Luke 21:31

Here in the Philippines, we never had a monarchy, a kingdom, unless we consider the multiple kingdoms and sultanates before the arrival of the Spaniards. We never had a King over all the Philippine Islands, so it's hard to imagine belonging to a Kingdom. But nevertheless, every Christian is part of a Kingdom, God's kingdom. We too, like the Jews in the Bible, were chosen, handpicked by God to be part of His own special people. It's hard to see God's Kingdom here on earth, especially with the news of all the bickering in Congress, about violence against the Jews, Christians, and women and children around the world. 

But God's Kingdom manages to break through- in people who serve, people who love, people who sacrifice their lives for others. After all, our God is a servant King, the King who saves. We see glimpses of God's kingdom in those who go to the prison regularly to bring not only real bread but the bread from heaven. We see it in anyone who goes out to mingle with the poor and give them dignity. We see it in young people visiting the Aetas in far off Pampanga to feed them and play with the children. We see God's Kingdom in those who tutor street children, give them books and school supplies. We see the Kingdom shining in Africa's little Christian communities, in the underground churches in China, and in Iran’s growing Christian population in 6,000 churches.

Lord, show us Your kingdom is all around us, and show us how we ourselves can bring Your Kingdom to our little corner of the world.