By: Rex Stump
When our children were younger, we took a vacation to Florida and gave our boys the experience of Disney’s Magical Kingdom.
The Disney amusement park goes above and beyond in making a child never forget the power of imagination and animation.
Disney has perfected the ability to make sure that each child is drawn in and made to feel that it’s the happiest place on earth. They go over the top to make sure you are comfortable and experience happiness.
If you have a parking problem, see a nearby attendant, and they will help you. If you drop something on the tram or a ride, no worries, see a nearby attendant and they will help.
It’s your day, and their goal is to make sure you feel like a prince or princess. Afterall, it’s all about your happiness. Right?
But not every day is filled with happiness, thrill rides, and smiling people. We live in a worldly kingdom filled with temptation, disappointment, and daily challenges.
As a matter of fact, Christians are told to avoid that kingdom and be part of another Kingdom…God’s Kingdom.
In His Kingdom, it’s about serving, not being served. It’s about loving your enemy, not seeking revenge. It’s about giving to others in need.
It’s about being kind. It’s choosing to believe and trusting God when you can’t see the outcome. It’s not about us, for the first are last and the last are first. It’s about seeking God first, and making sure He receives the glory, not me.
Which Kingdom am I chasing after? Jesus commands us to, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness!” (Matthew 6:33). Seeking His Kingdom is worth it! I love the passion of those seeking Jesus in Mark 3:7-8. “Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.” They came from all over to seek Jesus!
Just as people travel all over the world to experience Disney’s Kingdom, what are we doing daily to pursue the Kingdom of God? Am I just as passionate to seek His Kingdom? Am I willing to stand in line all day just to get a glimpse of His glory?
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Rex Stump is the Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as a Pastor at True North Church in Wauseon, Ohio.