Our Earthly Kingdoms

Sometimes you just have to start writing. I have tried so many different starts to this blog post; each one gets deleted. You see, I am trying to say it nice. Or say it diplomatically. Or gentle it down a little. None of it works. But I don't want it to be simply a rant. And I don't want to  be offensive. But I really want to say it. Also, it really isn't as big as deal as it feels to me...probably. 

I really do think we build our own earthly kingdoms, which ends up with placing too much importance on things, people, or problems. Earthly kingdoms to me are whatever worshipful thoughts we have about 'important' people or 'modern' ideas. I'll get to what some of those are in a minute. We tend to make earthly kingdoms out of anything. 

The problem with earthly kingdoms is how they take our eyes off Jesus and His heavenly kingdom. We lose the part of the Lord's prayer that says, "Thy kingdom come...thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". We exalt our own accomplishments and plans instead of remembering, "Nothing in my hands I bring". We forget how much more important it is to be broken, humble, and in need of a Saviour.

I am amazed how easily people are in awe of title, celebrity status, or wealth. I have seen our own good Christian people lay out the red carpet for someone in leadership or for popularity or for a dynamic, charismatic personality. Yet, the people they consider to be of the same social standing as themselves they are willing to disregard or possibly try to control. I have heard voices change and public prayers become more tender with pathos and intones depending on who is around to listen to their piety and sincerity. Shoot! I have probably done this. Let's be honest, we do this, People, without even realizing it. We believe ourselves to be being respectful, when really what we are doing is being fake to get some kind of approval of the human variety.

We applaud ourselves for figuring out our personality types, our gifts, or our plans. We somehow feel better knowing more about ourselves. What about knowing more about God in our weakness's? How are we going to do that if we are finding and glorifying our strengths? We come back from seminars with a sense of relief because we are understood and know now why we do the things we do. We grow excited about our potential. Now, we are really ready to serve God!

If we have to figure out our Enneagrams to fully serve Jesus, I think something is very wrong. If we have to read a book that states seven ways to do something in order for us to do something, then we have become puppets on strings. If you have to follow some one's formula for successful living, then that is what you are doing. It is only parroting and you did not actually learn anything. You simply parroted.

For example, my understanding from reading about the Enneagram testing was how they were first designed to help those in the work place get along with each other and better understand ones own potential. Umm, hello? Whatever happened to the golden rule and Biblical teaching on kindness, patience, and longsuffering? Why do people find it easier to follow people than reading the Word and following Jesus?

I suppose Jesus demands too much of us. To lay down our lives, to take up His cross, to deny ourselves, feels impossible to people. Truthfully, it doesn't appeal to people. When these concepts become foreign to us, we possibly have made our own earthly kingdoms far too large. And it happens everyday. Something our spouse or sister or friend said can steal our peace and joy. They stepped on our air hose. They falsely accused us. They did not understand. They made a list to figure us out! Of all things! Gasp. How will we forgive? 

The truth is it doesn't matter what anyone says or does. It makes not one bit of difference what a book says to do in its lists. The only truth is what God says about us and how we should interact with each other and the world around us. To pray the Lord's prayer and to mean it...this will draw us away from what I want, to what God wants. This is what brings peace on earth and in our hearts. 

Thy kingdom come, they will be done...

For thine is the kingdom, the power, the glory forever, Amen.

Disclaimer: If doing an Enneagram test makes you feel better about serving Jesus, go for it. I'm not judging you...it just doesn't work for me...And THAT, they tell me, is a personality number of its own.