What does it mean to be “kingdom-minded?”
Often we adopt the world’s short-sighted view of our homes, our gifts, and our relationships. But God calls us to have a long-term view of these things; we need to view all our lives through the lens of His kingdom, and our calling to point others to His glory.
Recently, I got to experience several moments where God showed me examples of kingdom-mindedness by His grace, through friends.
- During a crazy busy week, my visiting cousin ignored my embarrassed warning about the state of my house. She showed up unannounced and spent the morning helping me clean my kitchen. (Actually, she deep-cleaned my wild spice cabinet and picked up scattered clutter from our puppy, which gave me the margin to clean in my kitchen!
- When we both were dealing with too-much-busy, my friend Andrea texted that she had a few minutes to kill and she wanted to come and catch up. We shared a bottle of kombucha on the deck of the coffeeshop at the camp where we serve and caught up on life. I left encouraged and uplifted for the rest of my week!
- We’ve been blessed beyond measure and had our “arms held up” in ministry by many recently, but in particular, a couple who have become dear friends have shown up time and again and looked for ways to serve.
Each of these moments has reminded me of how blessed we can be when we go about our days with a kingdom-mindset… thinking about our schedules, our resources, and our relationships from God’s perspective.
In Episode 8 we talked about modesty and we looked at Romans 12:1-2. We were reminded to present our bodies – really, our lives – as a living sacrifice. We have to make every effort not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so we can discern (and do!) God’s will. If you haven’t listened, I encourage you to go back and do it. This is a foundational idea – seeing our whole lives as a sacrificial opportunity to worship God and point others to Him.
Here are some scriptures that can inform our thinking when it comes to being kingdom-minded:
- Colossians 3:1-2 reminds us that we must remember our lives are “hidden in God,” and that we must set our minds “on things above.”
- Philippians 2:1-11 reminds us to humbly consider others “more significant” than ourselves. Jesus Himself models this, the Father has exalted Him above all other names, and our lives exist to give Him glory!
- 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 18 reminds us that our bodies are “jars of clay,” and our imperfection points to God’s power at work in and through us!
- Hebrews 12 reminds us that in light of the faithful who came before us, we can run with endurance, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith – and not grow weary or fainthearted!
- In Matthew 6 Jesus models for us how we are to pray (and therefore to focus our lives) – fully yielded to His purposes for our gifts, our work, and our relationships.
Recently I was feeling really overwhelmed. I was fighting feeling under the weather, feeling the weight of camp ministry responsibilities, and beating myself up for “failing” at practicing hospitality. God used brothers and sisters in Christ to lift me and encourage me and I can do the same for those He brings my way!
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’” - Hebrews 12:28Click To Tweet
After being on the receiving end of what was most certainly an unintentional slight from a woman at the church we attended, I joined the congregation in singing “Revelation Song.” As I sung these words, God overwhelmed me with how majestic He is, and how very small my pouty thoughts were…
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You
Source: LyricFind, Songwriters: Jennie Lee Riddle, Revelation Song lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, Integrity Music, TuneCore Inc.
I found myself floored at the idea of singing with all creation; I am so very small. Yet I am part of something so massive, nothing can overshadow. How about you? Are you in awe of God’s greatness?
As we go about living the inviting life, we must begin from a place of awe, and then see every other part of our lives and relationships through that lens.
Does this awe of God drive how we interact with others?
Let’s ask ourselves again: How has God called me
- To use my body – my gifts, my abilities, my experiences for the sake of the kingdom?
- To use my resources, my work for the sake of the kingdom?
- To use my home for the sake of the kingdom?
- To invest in this person for the sake of the kingdom?
Listen to the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts!
Resources:
Pastor Voddie Baucham on Matthew 6
Episode 8 – Modesty and the Inviting Life
Read about Why We Have to Live the Inviting Life
Four Ways to Practice Intentional Hospitality
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