And he said unto them, “When ye pray, say: ‘Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come…’” ~ Luke 11:2 (KJV)
READING: Luke 11:1-5
The church is the chosen presence and authority of God here on earth. The church is the kingdom-come of God. This fundamental truth is easy to forget when we are working hard to plant a new church. Jesus taught his disciples to pray for the lifting up of God’s name, the propagation of God’s will, the increase of God’s kingdom, the fame of God’s name.
God uses our particular gifts, our specific vision, and our gathered resources, but the church and her ministries belong to God and God alone. At best, we are called as God’s servants to do his work, in his time, in his way. My way is not Yahweh.
Jesus taught his disciples that we can do nothing apart from him. Sometimes it does not feel this way. We have power and gifts to do many things well. But activity, productivity, and even results are not the same thing as fruit, fruit that remains. Do we want to be fruitful planters or just busy, hardworking and “successful” planters?
The truth is that God truly is the source of all good things. He is the miracle worker behind it all. We are mere conduits. And in the end, when we are standing before our Father, we will give him all of the honor and the glory and the praise, not because he’s a glory-hog but because he truly deserves it.
God’s kingdom shall reign forever and ever! And he alone is worthy!
Heavenly Father, May your kingdom come! May your will be done! May your name be lifted up that all may draw near to you! Amen.
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