Once upon a time, there was a lovely kingdom in a lovely place. People in this kingdom were very kind to each other. They were polite and always said, “Good morning. How are you?” to each person they passed. They worked hard to set up programs to entertain and teach each other about the God who created them. When someone had a need, they were quick to respond. They loved to take a meal to someone who just had a baby or who was recovering from surgery. They gave gifts to people who were grieving. When they got tired of doing good things day after day, they encouraged each other by quoting things the king had taught them in the book that contained all the rules.
As in all kingdoms, there was a king who ruled over this kingdom. It was his rules that the people followed carefully and it was his teachings that they taught each other. The king would go for walks each day and he would see the busy people doing their good things. He wanted to have conversations with them and to personally encourage them and comfort them, but they never seemed to notice him too much or have time for a conversation. Most of them really didn’t even quite know what he looked like and, because he didn’t wear outstanding, flashy garments and a big glittery crown, they simply didn’t recognize him.
Sometimes, when people would have a particularly difficult time, they would cry out to the king for help. The king was excited that they came to him and was very glad to be able to help them. But as soon as the trouble was over, they would tell him they had a lot to do hoping he would understand and again take off with their busy schedule and not notice him or talk with him again for a very long time. And the king would again walk among them unnoticed other than the polite, “Good morning, how are you?” exchanges.
The king longed to have closer friendships with the people and day after day, he continued to walk among them and invite them to sit down and have a good long conversation with him, but there were only a few who would take him up on it. Those who would sit with him were quick to tell others about their conversations and encourage them to also take time to sit down with the king, for he was a very kind and wise king and had so much to teach them. He could explain things from the book they took their rules from so that they would understand how much he loved them and how much he wanted for them to be content and happy.
When someone in the kingdom took time to sit with the king, they soon seemed to be more at peace – content with their lives no matter what their circumstances were. They seemed to have joy that came from somewhere other than their belongings or vacations or a great party. And some people would take notice and ask them about it. They also seemed to have an urgency to help others find time to meet and sit with the king because they believed that the king had much good wisdom for everyone and they just enjoyed their conversations so much they had to tell others about them. They believed that the wisdom they learned from the king would lead to healing in relationships, contentment with life, and even more sharing and caring among the people. And they found out after they began to regularly meet with the king that they didn’t get so tired of doing good things for other people. They didn’t feel so worn out and used, but instead, they were quick to lend a helping hand to others who needed help. Time with the king energized them like nothing else.
When people who spent a lot of time with the king would grow old and be near death, they would be excited because they knew that they would soon be going with him to a better kingdom where they could always be with the king and worship and honor him. The king had told them that they would not have any more struggles or disappointments, but that they would live in his new kingdom and be filled with peace and joy forever. People who didn’t know the king well would be mystified as to why these people would be happy about leaving the kingdom they were in. After all, it was a lovely kingdom in a lovely place.
The king tried to tell them that this was a temporary kingdom, that a time was coming when it would disappear completely. Those who chose to be part of the new kingdom could count on it being there forever. And so the king would stand and say, “Come, welcome to my new kingdom.” And those who knew him would shout for everyone to hear, “Come! Come with me and meet the king in person! Feel his warm hug and learn from his wisdom and learn about the mysteries of his new kingdom.”
The lovely kingdom in a lovely place with polite people is the “lower case” church that we attend on Sunday mornings and sometimes Wednesday evenings. There are many good people in the church doing many good things. But only a few of the people in the church doing lots of good things actually take the time to visit with the king – our Lord. Sure, we say “good morning,” and “thank you for this food,” and “please bless my family,” and “keep my children safe.” But how much of our days do we walk right past the king and ignore him while we are busy doing our many good things?
God desires for us to have a close relationship with him and is constantly inviting us into conversations. He wants to be a part of everything we do and say. His wisdom is there for the asking. I wonder… will we take the time to come and sit with the King? Or will we walk on by because we are we too busy…
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31
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