The Kingdom is like: a shopping day
Yesterday I got to do something really fun! I got to go wedding dress shopping with a dear friend. Oh it was so much fun!! And she looked amazing in so many dresses. So many gorgeous styles to choose from.There were six of us: bride-to-be, mother, cousin, and three friends of the bride. We were not all friends with each other. We were only connected through the bride. It was a new group dynamic. As everyone got comfortable with each other, the dress critiques got bolder. The boutique owner joked that we needed numbers to hold up to rate each dress. That would have been awesome! Things I loved weren't necessarily loved by the others and vice versa. Each woman had unique tastes. Each of us brought a totally unique perspective and opinion.Often, differing opinions cause tension and conflict but yesterday our differing opinions were fun and funny. As the hours rolled by, I started to see what each of the others saw. I started to see the beauty of their tastes. Yesterday, my mind because bigger. My fashion palate expanded. Yesterday, I was changed.It seems so funny that a shopping trip ended up as heart surgery. I'd expect it from a seminar, a counseling session, a chat with a mentor, a church service, a retreat, a book study. I never expected it from a shopping day. Note to self: Have more shopping daysLet's break it down: Six women gathered together for a unified purpose of supporting one woman's pursuit of joy and enjoyment of her life. It wasn't about being right. It wasn't about being first. It was all about supporting her and her dreams.My mind sees in metaphors, stories and parables. Yesterday's shopping trip speaks to my heart.The Kingdom of God is like this:
One day a group of women brought their different gifts and insights and opinions to support a Princess. The Princess was more important than the other women but the Princess graciously and purposefully invited them to be part of a Beautiful Plan. Each woman alone could do great things. Together they could accomplish so much more. But humans are prone to selfish ways and often have a hard time being equal with and loving towards people who are different to them. In serving the Princess they were freed from their selfish ways. The Beautiful Plan brought them to a place of unity and love as they used their gifts to benefit the Princess instead of themselves.So it is with the Kingdom of God. Unique and diverse individuals come together in unparalleled ways to serve God the King and the beautiful plan of the Kingdom.
Yesterday illustrates one of the main reasons I am a committed and passionate servant of Yahweh. In serving Him, I am beautiful. In being part of His Kingdom, I am fulfilled. There is nothing better. There is no other life for me.
[Jesus said,] "It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you don't believe me." ... At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you going to leave, too?" Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life. We believe them, and we know you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:63-69)