The Solar System of Life: Friday Week 1 of Advent

There is a sense in which Christ is already "come." Jesus taught that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand"; it's here now. But why don't we see it? Why don't we experience the reign of Christ today? Why is it always a lofty, golden future that shows up after we've tucked ourselves behind our desks in a fluorescent-lit cubicle for seventy years? 

I think it's because we invite other kingdoms into our lives that reign with a sense of jealousy: the god of a new house, a better job, political ideals, a promotion. Whatever it is we worship with our behaviors and minds becomes the sun of our own unique solar system. Each aspect of our complicated existence: a spouse, job, kids, hobbies, finances--they all revolve around the god we've chosen to enthrone. 

When the centerpiece isn't the Divine, the gravity that keeps our life in proper alignment is wonky. Balance is gone and we spend the finite currency of our days chasing things and ideas that lead us to crippling anxiety and profound discontentment.  This is what it feels like when the Kingdom of God is not present--when Christ isn't come. A small disclaimer: orienting our lives around the Kingdom of God isn't a promise of receiving everything we want, but a renewed mind that can approach life with a sense of contentment, peace, and love--a state of being where we can savor the rule of a coming and already present Christ as life stays balanced in its proper orbit. 

May we learn to see out of the gloom and darkness--that our blind eyes would see the eternal life Christ offers is both to come and already present.

Come, Lord Jesus. 

Isaiah 29:17-24

Matthew 9:27-31