The Kingdom of God is Within You – Part I

There is great news today!  There is a solution to all of your problems.  You can resolve each one!  The psalmist says, “I sought the Lord.  He heard my cry and delivered me from all of my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)  What is the solution to your daily challenges and enduring trials?  Interestingly, both problem and solution lie within you.  What you desire most lies within your heart.  What you need to acquire your dreams and goals also lies within you.  Simply put, you are the problem.  But, the good news is that you are also the solution.

Followers ask the Lord about the kingdom of God.  When will come?  What are the signs?  Where will it begin?  Shall the Messiah inaugurate the kingdom?  How will anyone know the kingdom has come?  The Lord responds, “The Kingdom of God isn’t ushered in with visible signs.  You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’  or ‘It’s over there!’  For the Kingdom of God is within you.”  The Lord instructs us to search deep within and strive toward the ideal world that we envision.  Whereas our minds record frustrations we have with multidimensional problems, our hearts contain willingness and wisdom for progress.  The problems and answers are within us.

Norman Vincent Peale in The Tough Minded Optimist shares an encounter with a cynic.  This guy berates Peale for his system of “Positive Mental Attitude.”  In response, Dr. Peale asks the man, “What do you really want in life?”  The fellow replies, “I want a problem-free life!  That’s want I want most!”  In turn, Peale says, “No problem.  I’ll take you to a gathering of thousands of people who have absolutely no problems.”  Then, the man says, “That group is for me.  Where are they?”  Mischievously, Peale provides the man with directions to the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NY.  The only people with no problems are people who are dead.  All other people have a fundamental choice whether to dwell on the number and nature of our problems.  Instead, we assume a “tough minded optimist’s” approach by realizing all problems include resolutions.  Further, each problem provides possibilities for personal development and spiritual growth. 

The opening verses of James encourage us to embrace life’s trials.  “Consider it pure joy whenever trouble comes your way.”  Tribulations afford an opportunity to cultivate character and endurance (James 1:2-8 and Romans 5:1-5).  Complaints about the world’s dreadful state yield our commission by Almighty God to change society.  Frederick Beuchner posits demands for change must intersect with the world’s greatest need.

Daily personal problems are manifold: debt, termination, health challenges, marital crises, fear, career choices, depression, financial difficulties, lack of self-acceptance, etc.  On a social level, we desire the elimination of AIDS, poverty, cancer, crime, broken families, racism, etc.  The presence of the kingdom of God eliminates those social dilemmas.  We long for a new era when all children of God live in a just world that equitably distributes resources to empower individuals to actualize their potential.

Conceivably, we erroneously envision the kingdom of God.  The Lord says we will not easily recognize the dawn of the kingdom.  Realistically, it emerges each day when believers strive to fulfill the commandments of loving Almighty God with heart, soul, mind and strength and loving neighbors as themselves.  Jesus says, “The kingdom of God of within you!”  In our choices and use of resources, we have capacity to realize the kingdom.