Sometimes, I think it's important to take a big step back out of the busyness of life, and ask the big picture questions. What is God doing here? What am I doing here?
When we frame life in God's big picture, then the day-to-day takes on a different color, a deeper joy, and a rediscovered purpose--without changing our actual circumstances one little bit.
Here's a big picture truth: God has a kingdom and he's calling you and me to be a part of it. It's not an inaccessible kingdom. It's not a kingdom under threat (no matter the current political climate). It's not only a future kingdom. It's here and now, and you're invited.
What's our role in this kingdom of God's?
Genesis 1 tells us he entrusted us rule to over the earth (see Genesis 1:26-30), but it would be a rule over which He would graciously reign and sustain us.
Dallas Willard (who fully fleshes out the ideas here) writes in The Divine Conspiracy**:
"The human job description . . . found in Chapter 1 of Genesis indicates that God assigned to us collectively the rule over all living things on earth, animal and plant. . . . However unlikely it may seem from our current viewpoint, God equipped us for this task by framing our nature to function in a conscious, personal relationship of interactive responsibility with him. We are mean to exercise our 'rule' only in union with God, as he acts with us. He intended to be our constant companion or coworker in the creative enterprise of life on earth."God invites us to be Kingdom men and women involved in His work on earth, full of His Spirit, abiding in Him.
I will reign over myself. God. You are not to be trusted, so I will trust myself.
Or, maybe this:
So as long as I've got my ticket to heaven, I'm good, and can't wait for your will to be finally done in heaven (but certainly not in this crazy place, God!).
(This is the "it's all gonna burn" theology, as in, "it's all gonna burn so why try to fix it?")
Or, this:
There is so much work to do on this earth, and it's all up to me. I'm not sure God cares as much as I do. Really loving Jesus means doing all the good stuff (secondary or divorced from a relationship with God).
I wonder if confusion about the nature of God's kingdom accounts for why people argue about the relationship of social justice and the Gospel and debate the value of faith versus works.
I wonder if Jesus just shakes his head, and says, "You really don't know how my kingdom works, do you?"
God says,
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5 ESV)
and
"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." (Jhn 15:15 ESV)
Will God call you to big work or small work? Will you run for office or will you run an office? Will you disciple your own kids or someone else's? Will he call you to social action in the city or Gospel proclamation in the Amazons?
I don't know. But I do know that you're His friend, and He will tell you what He's doing and how you can be a part.
These are the things I'm thinking about today.
I made this coloring page to remind you that God wants to be YOUR God, and that He calls you HIS PEOPLE, and that just as he walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, He wants to walk with you today and do Kingdom work through you.
You can download the page in English HERE and in Spanish HERE or click on the images below:
PRAYING the WORD
Jesus, teach me what it means to be part of your Kingdom. Show me the big picture of your work and my life. Show me the work you have for me. Thank you that you promise to be my God.
QUESTIONS to consider:
In what ways have you misunderstood your human job description?
*I'm so happy for you to enjoy my coloring pages and printables for your personal (not commercial) use. Use for Bible studies, church groups or events, and Sunday school classes are all fine! If you're in doubt, I'm happy to answer any questions. All artwork and photos are copyright Marydean Draws. If you share this, you're awesome (!), and as a courtesy, please link back to this post and not the PDF file. Thank you!!
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