If the Kingdom of God is anything – and it is everything – it is relationship.
Paul Luchsinger 1955-2015
It has been a hard year. My good friend Paul left this world for a greater glory a year ago. His passing was on the heels of my mother moving on three weeks prior. In both of their absences this week I’ve been pondering this quote so often spoken by Paul to me and honestly to anyone who ever came into contact with Paul. I’ve looked over the progression of events that have transpired this past year and I am amazed at the relationships that have developed, matured and/or withered.
I have been on a quest for the Kingdom of God being fully manifested in my life, as I’m sure many others have too. The one thing that I have taken note of is how our relationships with others cultivate the kingdom that is within us. Honestly, I don’t really need to be awed by the revelation you have of God if it doesn’t strengthen our ability to be united as friends, equals on the same journey. There is a lot of preaching and teaching going on in the church today but how much of it is building strong healthy relationships? If there are people leaving your congregation then I’d say that you’re teaching the wrong thing.
If you’re a “zippity-do-dah” preacher who can’t stand the sights or sounds of personal turmoil, your feel-good message is not going to build relationships. Yes, the sun will come up tomorrow, but for many that simply means more of the same crap they’ve had to deal with the day before. Yes, Jesus does love them, but that is not going to pull any weight with the demands a dying family member instills. Yes, there is a day of greater glory for all of us, but mister, you need to lower your vision to those about you, those who look to you for guidance in the day-to-day glory of the here and now and step out of your comfort zone of rarified platitudes and deal with the mess of living. If your message is all about the blessings of God, then don’t forget the blessings spoken over the poor, the hungry, and those who mourn aren’t for a latter day but for now.
Looking at the past year, turmoil is the hallmark of my strongest relationships today. Those of us who couldn’t deal with it had someone they could come to and walk with them in it. There wasn’t any finger pointing or brow beating just acceptance and love. As we walked out the daily messes and misses our commitment to the relationship grew and the influence of the inner kingdom became more apparent. Mourning and weeping will always lead to hugging and laughing if relationships are vital.
I guess the whole reason for writing this is to affirm that two important people who I miss greatly are still projecting an influence in the inner kingdom and that is what relationships are truly about. Just how will you favorably impact the life of another when you’re not there?
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