The kingdom of God is at hand.

We look around us and see a world in great need, and we look forward to a day when King Jesus rules over everything. We ask, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.

The question is, “when is this going to true in reality, and are we meant to wait passively for it?”

But the reality can be here and now. The kingdom of God is AT HAND. It is for now. It is amongst us. The complete fulfilment may be yet to come but it has already started.

It is like a tiny seed planted in the ground which grows and grows into a mighty tree. We can’t see it grow, but every day the tree becomes a little bit taller and a little bit stronger.

Every time we choose to love our enemies, it grows taller. Every time we are wronged and refuse to seek revenge the trunk gets stronger. Every time we don’t call those who disagree with us “fools” the roots grow deeper. Every time we give to to those in need the branches reach out wider. Every time we say no to fear and worry the leaves grow thicker.

The world system is based on selfishness, fear, greed and violence. God’s rule is based on love, faith, justice and peace. But in the end love must win. Fear must give way to faith, justice triumph over greed and war be replaced by peace.

Does god’s rule suddenly mushroom into existence of does it steadily grow, like that tree, till it covers the whole earth.

Jesus said that the kingdom of God was “at hand”. It is for now, not just some day when we die.

At a macro level God determines the timing but at a micro level we are responsible for cooperating with Him to make the kingdom of God grow in our time and bring it ever nearer to it’s ultimate destination.

What a privilege, what vision, what fulfilment of all we’ve ever dreamed about! His creation willingly living and being what He had originally planned. Our dream coinciding with God’s dream.