We live our lives with the idea that our joy and peace requires something happening that changes the world out there. We tell ourselves that we will be joyful once we get that promotion; once our 401K hits a certain threshold; once we retire. But then invariably we reach these goals and these external things happen and we still have not found joy and peace.
Israel was the same way in the ancient world. Israel knew that it was a people set apart through its covenant with God. Israel expected that God would change the nature of the world "out there" to bring joy and peace to Israel. Israel expected joy and peace when it had a king; once it had a temple; once it was a sovereign nation. But these things happened and Israel was still not at peace.
Jesus told Israel, and us, that everything we need to experience joy and peace is already right here. The Kingdom of God, Jesus tells us, is already in our midst. It was in Israel's midst when Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God. It was in Israel's midst in the days of Abraham. The Kingdom of God has always been present with us, in us, and among us. That means that God is already here, and this is already God's world. All we have to do is recognize it and see it. Once we do, we will see that we already have everything that we need to have peace and joy here and now.
Supporting the work and mission of Caney Spring United Methodist Church and Berlin United Methodist Church, two churches partnered in the ministry of making disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world, located in Marshall County, Tennessee.
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