Our Role In His Kingdom

While in my quiet time/Jesus time/prayer time this morning, I was feeling really convicted of something.

I can only speak for myself (though I know this is a common thing for many people) in that when having my time with God, I find myself seeking assurance, encouragement, love, and His uplifting grace. My point? Of course it's only normal to want and seek all of the above from Christ--that's something He installed in us to yearn and hunger for. Within that, there's a whole other aspect to our relationship with Christ--searching our hearts, looking at our downfalls, humbling ourselves, and focusing on what we could and need to work on (this could also entail God condemning us of things). The sole subject of searching for only happy/light-hearted things from Christ, if you will, is a whole other subject I could go on and on about, but for now I will save that for another time.

Today, I want to write to you about our role in the Kingdom of God.

When you think of the Kingdom of God, many questions may come to mind: What is the Kingdom of God? What does God want from me for the sole purpose of His Kingdom? What does living for the Kingdom of God look like?

When I sat down with my Bible to my left and my journal to my right, I felt God speaking to me over and over again to go read Ezekiel. I opened my Bible to the first page of Ezekiel. Personally, I haven't read much of Ezekiel, so I knew there was something new in store for me to hear.

I started reading about Ezekiel's vision in chapter 1, followed to how Christ directly spoke to him in chapter 2 and 3. To sum it up for you, God was calling Ezekiel to go reach out to the rebellious people in Israel.

Ezekiel 2:8 says:
"Son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not join them in being a rebel. Open your mouth and eat what I give you."

For some, this may be hard. I personally was feeling really convicted with this specific verse. In moving back home to Minnesota a little over 7 weeks ago, a lot of things were thrown my way. I've always been the "go-to" person. For whatever reason, people feel comfortable coming to me as a place to unleash what has been on their heart and mind, to tell what they have been struggling with, to tell how their heart has been hurting, and as a safe place to just allow tears to flow. First off, let me make clear that I love being there for people. I love listening, being that safe place for them, and giving as much wisdom as I can that I have gathered in my 18 years of life. Within that, I can tell you that throughout the years, there have been times where I have allowed myself to slip along with them. What I am saying is throughout my life, there have been times where I act a certain way around certain people--which I'm sure a lot of you can relate to. You know, you have one group of friends over here who are your really strong brothers and sisters in Christ. You uplift one another, you walk in righteous ways along side one another, you allow the words from your mouth to be pleasing to God. But then you have this other group of friends over here who are a little more rough around the edges, but you love them and want to show them the love of Christ in return--within that, you sometimes find yourself speaking in not the best ways, because frankly, they don't care if you slip an f-bomb out here and there. I was really feeling condemned from God that even when around those friends who are a little more rough around the edges, I need to have a consistent golden heart of Christ. If I am proclaiming His name, and trying to reach out and portray His love, I am not going to really get to those individuals by just following in their same behaviours.


Ezekiel 3:10-11 says this:
"Then he added, 'Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says!' Do this whether they listen to you or not.'"

Within being home for the past 7 weeks, I think I've gotten really comfortable with just allowing God to work on situations in my life. Is that great? Yes. Is that understandable? Yes. Is that the only thing I am called to do? No. I've been so focused on accomplishing things logistically with things such as school and jobs, that I have missed the biggest picture of all--my role in the Kingdom of God. As Christ followers, we all have a role in His Kingdom--it's just a plain fact.

Now your next question may be "What is my role in the Kingdom of God?"

Here are some answers:

Micah 6:8 says:
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Luke 4:18-19 says:
"'The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.'"


Luke 9:2 says:
"and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick."

Most of those verses are referring to Jesus and his role here on earth. I think sometimes it's really easy to get caught up in seeing Jesus as this Holy Spirit, which he definitely is, but he also is our prime example of who God calls us to be. We are called under God to be like Jesus. To heal the sick, to give to the poor, to serve others, to show mercy and grace, to bestow love and mercy. We are called to be like him so that others may see Christ through us. For those who do not have a relationship with Christ (and even those who do) we human beings are the way they see Christ--they see Christ through us. So if we are walking in in-just ways, living in dark places, and not walking what we speak, how is that giving the correct portraying and picture of Christ? It's not. It doesn't do Him justice.

With this said, I encourage you to really identify your role in the Kingdom of God and pick apart areas that you need to work on.
I encourage you to walk in a portrayment of Christ.
I encourage you to allow God to condemn you of things.
I encourage you to walk in the light of Jesus.
I encourage you to be an example.
I encourage you to fulfill your role in His Kingdom.

Here's to living the destined life..

A Daughter's Heart

This picture gives me mixed emotions and today was definitely an interesting day.

My mom taught me so much growing up. I remember asking her if she ever thought of having an abortion when she found out she was pregnant with me at the mere age of 18 and she responded with a confident "Not once."

My mom gave up going to college, having the "normal" life, having a paying job, and following her dreams to raise me in the home she believed I deserved. She sacrificed things for me on a daily basis, she put me before herself, and she always loved me. She raised me in a Godly home, immersing me in God's love and word on a daily basis. She encouraged me in the most precious ways. She challenged me in the most loving ways. She left me notes in my lunch box. She showed up at every dance recital. She showed up at every school event. She went on school field trips when she could. She supported the desires and dreams of my heart. She taught me to persevere. She taught me to stay strong. She taught me to anchor myself in the Lord so that the ways of this world could not tear me down. She cleaned up my wounds, and let me stay up an extra 15 minutes if I was being good that day. She listened to me spill my heart out as I cried on her shoulder and she fed me chocolate. She not only brought me into this world, but taught me how to live a life worth living.

Out of all the things my mom taught me growing up, the best thing I believe was that she taught me what a real mother's love was like. The love I have felt from my mom has been the closest thing I can describe to God's love for us--unconditional, never ending, grace-covering, immense multitude, divine love.

This year is different than most.
She's not here.
I'm not there.
We're not together.
We're not even really on speaking terms.
And she's not the same person.

But no matter how different this year is.
No matter where she is.
No matter where I am.
No matter if we're together or not.
No matter if we're not even speaking.
No matter if she's lost and confused.
My love as her daughter will never change.

Mom,
I pray for you daily. And even if you don't read this or can't hear me, I'm here--1009.7 miles away--sitting at this desk in my sweatpants and sweatshirt, my toes bitter cold as always, and tears streaming down my face.

You're my mom, and I'm never giving up on you.



Here's to living the destined life..