Read along & Link up (Chapter 8): 3 things to do when the ‘here and now’ stinks

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Welcome to the Read Along for Daughters of the King: Finding Your Place in the Biblical Story! Today we’re covering Chapter 8.  Still need to buy your book? Grab it on Amazon or Paypal.

When the King came, he came to set things right.

So, if the King invites us to enter into a new and glorious kingdom, then why does the ‘here and now’ seem terribly wrong?

The week’s headline news screams to us stories of defeat. A child porn ring, typhoon Haiyan, and the failures of political leaders all make the invite to God’s kingdom look less like a celebration and more like an occasion for mourning. 

The answer? We live in the ‘now and not yet’ of the King’s kingdom. That’s why the ‘here and now’ can still stink.

Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection inaugurate the kingdom of God, but it is not yet fully here. Brokenness and injustice will remain with us until the King comes a second time and fully and finally restores his kingdom (Matt. 24:27, 30-31; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thess. 4:16-17).

Yet, as believers who have put our faith in Christ, we can still call ourselves citizens of God’s kingdom, even though we haven’t received the fullness of its blessings.[i]

Still, we aren’t powerless in this period.

We don’t have to be weary in the waiting.

In the ‘here and now,’ there are some important things we can do.

Live with forward looking eyes

While we wait for the King’s kingdom, we must live our lives in a forward-looking fashion keeping a watchful and hopeful eye on our final restoration. Christ promised it was coming. For those of us who have already put our trust in the King, we can be confident that God will fulfill that final promise of total restoration. We can be confident that life as we know it with all its brokenness and ugliness is not the end of our story as Daughters of the King!

Live as a witness to the throne

Christ said he will not come again until the good news of salvation is taken to all the nations (Matt. 24: 14).

The title of the Daughter of the King comes with the awesome responsibility to be a light, representing God to the nations so that others might be drawn to the King.

So, whether you are full-time minister or a servant in the pew, a mother of four or a single woman searching for God’s best, the title of Daughter of the King is a resounding call to action.

In my book, I write:

“A true Daughter of the King spends little time sitting idly in the privileged position of the throne room.  Instead, she is out among the people representing the goodness, humility, and submissive spirit of the One she serves. Emulating the actions of their King, who traded his glory for scorn and thorns, Daughters of the King eagerly exchange their gowns and crowns to do the precious and sometimes messy work of the gospel.” Excerpt, Chapter 8.

Live in step with the King’s Helper

Living as a witness to the King’s throne is rough stuff. But thankfully, the King doesn’t ask us to serve alone. Christ promises to help us fulfill our role as his daughter through his Spirit.

The Spirit emboldens believers, guide us, convicts us of sin, and equips us with spiritual gifts for the awesome task of serving the King (Acts 2:37, 40-46; Rom. 8:9-11). It is the Spirit who transforms us into Christ’s holy image.

Living in step with the Spirit means learning to listen and respond to his voice as he seeks to transform us. But don’t be discouraged if, in the ‘here and now’ your transformation into Christ’s image seems slow! When Christ comes again, the Spirit will complete his work in our lives, and most importantly, in the world.

There will be no more exploitation. No more tearful nights. No more hateful words.

The King will complete his kingdom. But while we wait for the ‘not yet’ there is much to do.

 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Pet. 2:9

I’m linking up with UNITE , WholeHearted Wednesdays, & Faith-filled Fridays.