Sand Kingdoms

The day after the Presidential election, Nov. 7, 2012. A great time to write another post.

Some years back, actually around 1998/1999 there was this thing called Y2K. Y2K was a byword for a believed-in future phenomenon that the world would be going hay wire via computer mayhem when we rolled over to 2000 from 1999. My husband and I did not buy into it at the time - our reasoning seemed to be different from others in a particular belief group. It's not important what our reasoning was then or what seemed to be the reasoning of others regarding this post, but I mention this to be able to make the following statement: that people hold beliefs dear on this earth that may or may not be true. Such a news flash! :)  Regarding Y2K, it did not happen. Prior to it not happening, my husband and I experienced some disassociation from these people who believed differently. I remember telling two women in my kitchen that believed differently than I that historically, at the turn of the century, human beings (which I believe we are all) are historically superstitious and could it be that it was a great part of what was happening then. I received very skeptical looks. You know the kind of look - one that makes you feel as if there is something very strange sitting on your head. It was a time of division for us that was somewhat difficult to go through. During this time I contemplated on what was happening quite a bit. One thing I kept thinking about was the fact that why did people think they were so important that they could not be wrong? What made human beings so subject to delusion? Did you know that if you took 450 cups of sands at a certain millimeter in size (I figured this out once and can't remember the size) and put them in a container, that would be the amount of people on this planet at any given time, approximately. That is a lot of people. It should be a humbling concept.

Regarding the election, my guy did not win - but - I don't really have a guy on this earth. My #1 guy wasn't running - Jesus. In fact this morning when I got up I went to my concordance and looked up verses that have the word "kingdom" in them in the New Testament. It's quite a list. You see, I woke up thinking about the kingdom of God and what really matters and what is really true. As people wake up today either happy or sad, or maybe indifferent, which of us human beings are right? Who chose correctly? How can you know with so many "grains of sand"?

THE KINGDOM OF GOD:  number one theme in the mission of Jesus.  As the story of Jesus played out on this earth, His meaning of kingdom was far different than what the Jews of that time had in mind, politically. Even before His crucifixion, the Roman custom was to release a Jewish prisoner at Passover. Pilot was sure hoping that they would ask for Jesus is my belief but instead they asked for Barabas, a zealot who had taken part of a revolt against the Roman government. I think that the release of a person fighting for an earthly kingdom instead of the one who sets up an eternal kingdom is at least a powerful irony. I am not saying that it's not important how and what we choose here on this earth - obviously choices, elections and government decisions are the building blocks of society and history. Some decisions are certainly better than others with varying results and consequences, but as a Christian, I really want to have a healthy perspective on such a thing as fallible human beings  running for office in the light of eternity and the shifting sands of history as well as how I should conduct myself when what I want or voted for does not happen.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD - In response to the people of Capernaum trying to keep Jesus in the area, Jesus said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." In Luke 12 while Jesus was among a crowd, a man came to Jesus asking Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. Interesting request. I would assume that the man asking was referring to his older brother who perhaps had received the entire inheritance according to the custom at the time and we all know that's not fair, at least by the standards of our culture. Spread the wealth, everyone gets a fair share is the way it should be, right? Jesus responds, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" Then Jesus goes on to say, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed: a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." I just love this about Jesus. Everyone is on a level playing field with Him when it comes to a person's heart and motivation.  Even if the guy who asked was wronged, Jesus speaks to a greater truth. Then Jesus goes on to teach on not worrying about your life, what you wear and what you shall eat - "And do not set your heart on what you shall eat or drink, do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  My treasure is not on this earth nor is it with a particular political party nor is it with the United States of America. It is with another place I have not seen yet, but know is there. I hope I conduct myself as a valuable citizen of the USA while I am here, and I believe that is how we should be. But whether it is a good or bad thing that Barack Obama will be President four more years is not ultimately all that important, not in light of eternity. It certainly isn't something I care to allow to divide me from others I love.

And finally, I think this scripture speaks to the changing sands of time, it is all a passing circumstance  -Daniel 2:21 "And He is changing times and seasons, He is causing kings to pass away, and He is raising up kings; He is giving wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those possessing understanding.