Editorial Note: This is the third post in a series about our vision for SDB Chicago. The previous post is Rooted in the Word.
One of my favorite stories growing up comes from a book called Tales of the Kingdom. The overall story is of an evil Enchanter who has deceived a city full of people. They no longer follow the rightful King. They live and work at night since the Enchanter loves fire and is jealous of the light of the sun. The rightful King lives in exile in Great Park. The King is building a resistance to one day take back the Enchanted City.
Didn’t you know that in the Great Celebration, all who desire a place, find a place?
My favorite story from Tales of the Kingdom is about an apprentice juggler in Great park. He can’t seem to follow the correct timing as the rest of the juggling troupe. Without correct timing he could throw off the rest of the troupe. He is afraid that his timing will mean exile from the troupe. It is only after performing for the King that he realizes that his inner count was one of a juggling clown — the best of juggling entertainers. When his troupe leader finds out he was afraid to be kicked out the leader responds: Lose your place? Find your proper place, rather. Didn’t you know that in the Great Celebration, all who desire a place, find a place?
The longer I live, the more I realize that everyone is looking for a place where they belong. Jesus talked a lot about a place like that. He called it the Kingdom of God. It is a place full of peacemakers and merciful. In this kingdom those who mourn are comforted. In the Kingdom of God, not only is there no murder, there is no anger or hatred. It is a place where all who are lost become found. We have plenty examples of people with good intentions trying to create a place like this. The problem is, like the Enchanter, many of us don’t want to submit to the rule of the true King. We want the benefits of the Kingdom without the King.
The truth is that without a connection to the King we are doomed to become like the people of the Enchanted City — subject to the wickedness of the Enchanter and doomed to a living death. It is only when we turn from our own ways and submit to the King that we receive the benefits of the Kingdom. It is then that we become a reflection of Christ and an example of His good works to the world. We can only continue to reflect Him if we remain connected to God.
When we talk about flourishing in kingdom community this is what we mean. We desire to have a church full of people who are submitted to the will of the King. We see our church as a place where all who come are transformed by the work of the resurrected Jesus. We know this doesn’t happen all at once, nor does it happen in isolation. It requires a Kingdom Community. Part of being a Kingdom Community is holding each other accountable to follow the King. That in itself is a messy process, but we have faith that the King can clean up any mess we make. The world is desperate for the Kingdom. We seek to show them the King who makes that possible.
May you discover your proper place in Kingdom Community. May that community guide you in the way of the King. May you be transformed by the work of the resurrected Jesus. And may King Jesus be glorified in that process.
To the King! To the Restoration!